December 15 – Kenya has been chosen by FIFA to form part of the pilot phase for FIFA’s new women’s football development programmes, with Kenya Football being offered the opportunity to benefit from a project which will focus on participation growth.
The news of the FIFA’s offer came as Ugandan sports website Kawowo Sports published excerpts from a letter from FIFA to the FKF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert Muthomi, in which FIFA says: “We are pleased to inform you that your Member Association (MA) has been selected to form part of the pilot phase for FIFA’s new women’s football development programmes.”
“We have selected your MA for the pilot project which will focus on participation growth – a key pillar of our women’s football strategy whereby FIFA is aiming to reach 60 million female players by 2026.”
“Before rolling out our participation strategy globally, it is important that we carry out a successful pilot phase.”
“Your MA has a strong foundation favouring women’s football development and therefore has been identified as a high potential FIFA member in supporting this goal.”
The letter goes on to describe the outlines of project in some detail, saying: “This pilot project will focus on assessing your current competition and development landscape and support the development of new and improved sustainable leagues using your existing club and school structures for different age categories.”
“FIFA’s new approach to women’s football development is to create tailor made projects together with you and your team which support the specific needs of your MA over a period of 18 months.”
“For this reason, the project will be tailored to your existing women’s football structures, competitions, capacities and resources.”
“As part of the pilot project, FIFA will appoint a technical expert that will work with your association on a regular basis.”
“She/He will help your association design long term programme in order to grow the participation of girls into football based on which FIFA support will be awarded (equipment and direct financial investment).”
FIFA say they would like to start the project in the first quarter of 2018 and ask the FKF to “confirm your interest to be the pilot association for this project as well as share your association’s availability to start with the project and host the FIFA Expert.”
According to Kawowo Sports, the FKF is expected to confirm by 15 January 2018.
Kenya has been one of the pioneers of women’s football in Africa but the sport currently trails volleyball, basketball and field hockey in popularity.
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