Kenyan football officials are among delegates from various countries attending the FIFA Financial Governance workshop in Accra, Ghana. The three-day event is designed to enhance financial management skills and promote sound financial governance among FIFA Member Associations.
The workshop, which commenced on Wednesday, focuses on key areas such as financial management, accountability, transparency, and efficient resource utilization within football organizations. These discussions align with FIFA’s commitment to strengthening financial strategies and governance structures within its member associations.
Alongside Kenya, other participating countries include Ghana, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Each country is represented by its General Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, ensuring that top-level officials are equipped with the knowledge necessary to implement financial reforms in their respective football federations.
Ghana Football Association Vice President Mark Addo officially opened the workshop, emphasizing the critical role financial governance plays in the success of football organizations. His address highlighted the importance of proper financial management to ensure sustainable development within football.
For Kenya, this workshop comes at a crucial time, as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) recently underwent leadership changes. The newly elected FKF president, Hussein Mohammed, has prioritized financial transparency and governance since assuming office in December. One of his first moves was to establish a special committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive audit of the federation’s finances. The knowledge gained from the workshop in Accra is expected to help FKF implement best practices in financial management and strengthen the federation’s financial sustainability.
FIFA’s Head of Financial Governance, Christopher Suppiger, is leading the workshop alongside other top FIFA officials. These include Director of Reforms Implementation Lucca Piazza, FIFA’s Finance Services Manager Meryem Atouk, Senior Capacity Development and Education Manager Andrea Portabella, Regional Coordinator for Africa Silmara Sousa, and FIFA Division Office Coordinator Raissa Toure. Their expertise is being used to guide discussions and provide practical insights into financial governance.
The workshop covers a range of topics, including the development of financial strategies, risk assessment, fraud prevention, and the role of internal audits in football federations. By addressing these issues, FIFA aims to empower football administrators with the necessary skills to handle finances effectively and prevent mismanagement or corruption within their organizations.
Kenya’s participation in the workshop signals the federation’s commitment to improving financial governance. The FKF has faced financial challenges in the past, including allegations of mismanagement, which have hindered the growth of football in the country. By embracing FIFA’s financial governance principles, the new leadership aims to restore confidence and ensure that resources are used efficiently to support football development at all levels.
With the presence of experienced FIFA officials and financial experts, the workshop provides an opportunity for Member Associations to learn from global best practices and implement them within their own structures. The insights gained are expected to contribute to stronger financial policies and better resource management within football federations.
As the workshop progresses, discussions will continue to focus on enhancing financial governance structures, ensuring transparency, and promoting financial sustainability in football organizations. The outcome of this initiative is expected to have a long-term positive impact on the financial health of football federations, including FKF, as they strive to build a more accountable and efficient football management system.
This initiative by FIFA underscores its commitment to supporting member associations in achieving financial stability. Through capacity-building programs like this, FIFA ensures that football organizations worldwide can operate efficiently, free from financial mismanagement, and focus on developing the sport.
For Kenya, the knowledge gained from the workshop will be instrumental in shaping the federation’s financial strategy, improving governance structures, and fostering accountability in football administration. The FKF leadership is keen to leverage these insights to establish a financially stable and well-managed federation, ultimately benefiting Kenyan football at all levels.
