The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Financial Governance and campus seminar ended successfully in Accra.
The three-day workshop began brought together ten English-Speaking FIFA Member Associations from Africa. The program designed for General Secretaries and Chief Financial Officers aimed to enhance financial governance in football. Participating countries were, Cape Verde, Liberia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Gambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone and host nation Ghana.
Mr. Prosper Harrison Addo, the General Secretary of Ghana Football Association (GFA) expressed his profound gratitude to FIFA for the programme. He said, “it was an honor and privilege for us to host this financial governance workshop in Ghana, I’m extremely excited that we had the privilege to learn and share ideas together.”
Mr. Christoph Suppiger, Head of Finance Governance of FIFA commended Ghana for the good hospitality. He said, “we thank Ghana for hosting us, it has been three wonderful days we spent in Accra, we really appreciate the hospitality and the treatment from Ghanaians and the associations at large. “I thank all the participants; it was an amazing workshop, and I know we have exchanged ideas among ourselves.
“I really hope that we can have this kind of workshop again because it brings a lot of information and knowledge sharing.” Mr. Abedi Ayew Pele Legendary footballer also thanked FIFA for initiating this kind of program in Africa. He said the problem of Africa football was about funding, “the problems of African football are sponsorship, how to get institutions involved in the game.
“But getting FIFA representatives to come and teach us about financial governance is laudable and these are the things we need in football.” Madam Yvonne Mapika Manwa, General Secretary of Zimbabwe Football Association congratulated FIFA for the programme. She said, “it has been an excellent workshop because it reminds us of the things we must do to become successful like others.” She also encouraged FIFA to continue this kind of workshop for member associations.
Mr. Patrick Korir, Kenya Football Association’s Acting General Secretary said the topics been thought were relevant which would guide them to improve their financial statues. He said, “we have seen the best practices from FIFA in term of financial payment, however, every country has got the uniqueness and challenges in terms of financial payment and they have been able to tackle that.”
Source: GNA
