FIFA Forward Workshop Held Ahead of COSAFA Congress in Harare

As dignitaries and football leaders continue to arrive in Harare for the COSAFA Congress, Member Association General Secretaries on Saturday participated in a FIFA Forward Programme training workshop aimed at strengthening football administration, governance and development across the region.

The workshop brought together football administrators from across Southern Africa and formed part of the broader engagements taking place around the COSAFA Congress being hosted by the Zimbabwe Football Association in Harare.

FIFA official Solomon Mudege facilitated the session, which focused on the FIFA Forward Programme and its role in supporting football development projects, infrastructure improvement, governance systems and capacity building within member associations.

ZIFA was represented at the workshop by Acting General Secretary Norman Gwangwadza, alongside fellow General Secretaries and senior football administrators from across the COSAFA region.

The FIFA Forward Programme remains one of FIFA’s flagship development initiatives, designed to strengthen football administration and ensure member associations are equipped to deliver sustainable growth both on and off the field. The programme has played an important role in supporting football infrastructure, operational development and institutional reforms across various associations worldwide.

Speaking after the workshop, Gwangwadza said the training provided an important platform for knowledge sharing and strengthening administrative capacity within football institutions.

“This workshop was both insightful and important for all Member Associations represented. Programmes such as FIFA Forward continue to play a significant role in strengthening football administration, governance and development structures across the region,” said Gwangwadza.

“As ZIFA, we remain committed to building strong institutional systems that support the growth of football in Zimbabwe at all levels. Engagements like these also provide valuable opportunities to exchange ideas and experiences with colleagues from across the COSAFA region.”

The workshop comes at a time when Zimbabwe continues to intensify efforts towards football transformation, institutional strengthening and capacity building under the leadership of the current ZIFA Executive Committee.

Harare has become the centre of regional football activity this weekend as football leaders, administrators and stakeholders gather for the COSAFA Congress and related engagements.

The hosting of the Congress further reflects Zimbabwe’s growing role in regional football administration and its continued commitment to contributing towards the development of the game across Southern Africa.

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