By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The country through the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) is set to benefit hugely under the FIFA Forward Development Programme that is set to inject about E144 million through to 2026.
This will be the third cycle of the FIFA Forward Development Programme will provide each member association with up to USD 8 million (About E144 million) through to 2026, which is seven times more than they received when the initiative was established in 2016.
Eswatini used part of the money received from 2016 by constructing the Technical Centres being Lobamba, Ka-Langa and Mkhuzweni while one is yet to be constructed under the Manzini region. The fees were also used in the refurbishment of the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium and the EFA Headquarters, Sigwaca House among other projects.
According to the fifa.com, the FIFA Forward Development Project will also provide zonal/regional associations such as the Council of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) with up to USD 5 million (About E90 million) to organise men’s, women’s and youth competitions that Eswatini is part off.
According to a statement released by COSAFA a number of teams at recent COSAFA Cup 2024 benefitted from FIFA Forward support.
“The initiative supports FIFA’s 211 Member Associations’ (MA) (Including Eswatini) football development projects. FIFA Forward 3.0 will provide each MA with up to USD 8 million through to 2026
The FIFA Forward Development Programme had a major role as the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup 2024 was played out among 11 COSAFA members and guest participants Kenya.
“For COSAFA member countries, the FIFA Forward program is a real godsend. It makes it possible to finance a large part of the Federations’ activities. This programme contributes significantly to the development of football and the progress of all its players, particularly countries with more fragile economic positions,” said COSAFA Vice-President Saïd Ali Saïd Athouman.
