March 23, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Director of Competition, Sorie Ibrahim Sesay, is part of over 15 participants from world football governing body, FIFA, 13 member associations currently undergoing a two-day global club licensing system in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The seminar, which is organised in conjunction with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), attracted member associations from across Southern and West Africa to share information, expertise and experiences about the FIFA club licensing system.
According to Sesay, the assembly is aimed at improving club football in Africa by setting minimum standards in key areas such as stadium safety, fan experience and youth football development, adding that the clubs then need to meet the standards to qualify for certain international competitions.
The head of FIFA’s newly created Professional Football Department, James Johnson, told the association’s website: “Club licensing has an important role to play in raising professional standards and building stronger clubs. And stronger clubs mean a stronger foundation for global football.”
The seminar will enable FIFA and CAF to identify the support that national associations need to implement club licensing in their own countries.
FIFA’s club licensing system has already been adopted by CAF, with 61 African clubs from 26 member associations currently licensed to appear in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
The other member associations involved in the ongoing seminar, which will conclude today, 23 March, are: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.