E14.5M WINDFALL FOR EFA

MBABANE – The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) is set to receive more funds from FIFA, starting from next year.

This follows a decision by the world soccer governing body to approve a newly-revised football development funding for the 2019-2022 cycle during a congress held in Kigali, Rwanda, last Friday.

 The 211 members, that include EFA currently get about US$5 million (about E72.6 million) each under the FIFA Forward Development Programme over a period of four years.

Under the new package, dubbed the Forward 2.0, football associations that comply with the set regulations will receive US$ 6 million (E87.1m), an increase by US$1 million (E14.5m). The estimates are based on yesterday exchange rates.

“The FAs can use up to US$1 million (E14.5m) per year for their running and operational costs, that include governance, structure and administration, the national teams, domestic competitions, permanent administrative and technical staff, financial management (audits), website and other communication platforms, training for key football.

“Half of the funds will only be allocated if the member implements or provides at least eight of the 10 essential elements, which include employing a secretary-general and a technical director, organises a juniors, women or men’s league, has a clear strategy for the promotion and development of women’s and grassroots football, promotion and development of refereeing, if the member runs an initiative or project related to integrity or good governance,” read correspondence from FIFA, in part.

In a bid to ensure strict adherence to the regulations on how to use the funds and for accountability purposes, FIFA is said to have directed that each member association will have to engage the services of a statutory auditor and will be subject to a central audit review undertaken by an independent, high-profile, international auditing company.
The FIFA Forward Development Programme is part of the World Cup revenues that are redistributed to the member associations for development and other projects.
EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said his office was yet to learn about the developments, but would wait for an official correspondence from FIFA.
Meanwhile, during the same FIFA Council meeting in Rwanda, a decision to distribute at least nine millions soccer balls to countries was taken. EFA is expected to get part of the balls. The multi-billion Emalangeni project will be run through high schools. It will be implemented next year and run until 2022.

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