By Morakinyo Abodunrin with agency reports
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has yet reiterated the commitment of the continental soccer ruling body-led executive at ensuring that African soccer becomes more ‘globally competitive and self-supporting.’
The South African billionaire who took over the reins of African football in March said efforts are being made to improve the game across board, adding his diplomatic shuttles to some African Heads of State as well as government ministers and stakeholders in football would buoy the game in the long run.
In a CAF statement released yesterday, Motsepe further declared that ‘developing and promoting football at schools and investing in the youth is imperative for the future of African football.’
He sighted the successful launch of the pilot project of the CAF Pan-African Schools Football Championship by CAF in conjunction with FIFA in Kinshasa which was attended by DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi.
It would be recalled that the Motsepe Foundation has already donated the sum of $10 million to the CAF Pan-African Schools Football Championship, even as Motsepe affirmed that the fund will be used as prize money for the winners of the six CAF Zonal Schools Football Competition and the ultimate champion of the CAF Pan-African Schools Football Championship.
He further stressed the efforts are being geared towards investment in African football infrastructure and ensuring that in every CAF Member Association there is a FIFA approved stadium as well as the development and growth of women’s football and protect the integrity and professionalising refereeing.
The statement added that CAF was toying with the idea of broadening its competitions with a CAF African Super League already in view in order to ‘generate additional funding or income for CAF, its Member Associations and bodies and also contribute to African football becoming globally competitive and self-sustaining.’
Leave a Reply