Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-02-19 07:13:18
Ghana is poised to benefit from FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS) with the establishment of an elite talent development academy aimed at nurturing technical players and bridging the gap between different regions. This announcement was made by FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, at the FIFA Football Summit 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
As part of this initiative, FIFA has allocated USD 28 million in funding globally to support youth development efforts. This funding will be extended to each of the 211 Member Associations (MAs) by the end of 2027.
To lay a solid technical foundation for the development of these academies, FIFA has already deployed 24 coaches to assist in identifying talented players in countries such as Ghana, Malawi, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Liberia. These coaches will work alongside full-time local coaches provided by the respective MAs to ensure the sustainability of the project by establishing a pool of coaching talent within the country.
Wenger emphasized that the key objectives of the initiative are to find talented players, provide them with the necessary training to maximize their abilities, and offer them opportunities to apply their skills through matches. The TDS aims to reduce disparities in football development between different regions around the world.
According to Wenger, 176 MAs have already enrolled in the TDS, surpassing the initial goal of 150 that was set when applications opened in April 2023. He emphasized the importance of identifying and nurturing talent by providing specialized support and coaching. The TDS calls for a “minimum contact time” of five training sessions and one game per week for players aged 12 to 15, with the goal of allowing talent to thrive.
The primary focus of the TDS is to develop technically adept players. Wenger stressed the importance of technique and the need to equip players to handle any situation they may encounter in football. He highlighted the significance of technique in football and expressed the desire to cultivate technically proficient players.
One of the key criteria for the FIFA Academy label is free access for every individual, as Wenger emphasized the importance of ensuring that every talented individual has the opportunity to play football without financial barriers.
In conclusion, the TDS represents a significant step in FIFA’s efforts to develop and support youth football globally, with the goal of fostering technical excellence and providing opportunities for all talented individuals to pursue their passion for the sport. This initiative has the potential to transform the landscape of football development, and Ghana is among the countries slated to benefit from this program.
Read the original article on Ghanaian Times
