Cape Verde: a success story for FIFA’s Football development policy in Africa

By Abdoulaye Thiam – AIPS Africa President
The FIFA Foward! This program initiated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino has contributed to the development of football in Africa. If Mauritania is considered as a laboratory, Cape Verde remains the model of success. This is evidenced by the first participation of the “Blue Sharks” in a World Cup, but also and above all their qualification for the Round of 32. 

“FIFA’s support has been, and continues to be, essential for Cape Verde, its federation and, more broadly, for the development of football in the country. The federation is a true role model, given the difficulties it has faced in the past and the natural challenges of organizing football in an archipelago, both in terms of logistics and infrastructure,” Deputy Director of FIFA’s Member Associations Division and Regional Director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes said. 

STRATEGIC USE OF FIFA FORWARD RESOURCES The former football player of the Switzerland national team, originally from Cape Verde, added: “We are working closely with Cape Verde to find the best solutions: offering players competitive opportunities, guaranteeing the holding of championships and ensuring the transfer of skills, whether to referees or team managers at all levels. This approach has paid off.”

Cape Verde has been able to strategically use the resources of the FIFA Forward programme to develop its infrastructure, strengthen its competitions and support the progress of its national teams throughout the archipelago.

To date, 17 different projects have been carried out, ranging from the construction of synthetic pitches in the municipality of Santa Cruz, on the island of Santiago — allowing several teams in the region to benefit from better facilities and providing more opportunities for young people to play football — to the renovation of the Adérito Sena stadium, on the island of São Vicente, through continuous support for the national teams, especially the under-17s. 

“These are concrete examples of the impact that the FIFA Forward programme can have on a federation,” Fernandes added. 

SENSE OF BELONGINGING “This World Cup is already historic for many African nations, including Cape Verde, but also Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and other teams that have reached the knockout stages. These journeys create unforgettable memories for millions of people,” the former Manchester United player also said. 

“Personally, I have experienced these successes with great emotion, because they strengthen the link between people born outside their country of origin and the land of their parents. They reinforce this sense of belonging and make it an even greater source of pride. It’s beautiful to see. For me, every game played by Cape Verde in this World Cup represents a new success. I am extremely proud of all the people who have worked alongside us to build this success. This qualification brings immense joy and, of course, a certain pride, in the light of the work accomplished and the impact that FIFA has been able to have in a country like Cape Verde,” he concluded.
Courtesy of aips.com