FIFA handbook to help develop women’s game

Another developmental boost is scheduled to be received by the local women’s game with football’s governing body, the International Federation of Association Football ( FIFA), issuing the inaugural ‘ Women’s Football Administrator Handbook’, which aims to increase female participation in the discipline.

This was disclosed by a release from FIFA which states that the professionalization and heightened participation of females is a core objective of the initiative, adding that it provides practical support and guidance to each of the member associations.

The release elaborated, “A key part of FIFA’s vision is to develop the women’s game, enhance its professionalization and exploit its great potential. Together with its member associations and stakeholders, FIFA works passionately to empower girls and women, to make football a sport for all, and to advocate against gender discrimination in football. Another milestone on this journey is the publication of the first- ever Women’s

Football Administrator Handbook. This handbook is a guide, offering a better understanding of how strategies, practices and procedures can reinforce the objectives of growing women’s football and fostering gender equality. It proposes good practices learned from experience and points the reader in the right direction for further and specific support.”

This is the second initiative by the world governing body in recent weeks targeting the development of the women’s game following the earlier introduction of the Women’s Developmental Programme. The aforesaid project consists of eight core sections and will run for the cycle of 2020-2023. It is immediately available and eligible to each of the 211-member associations via a thorough application process.

According to the release, the handbook, which places emphasis on four important aspects, was created to serve as an overview for the affiliated member associations and relevant stakeholders.

The correspondence disclosed that the pivotal four parts are:, “(1). The importance of having women in leadership positions, including new and innovative ways to evolve and establish women’s participation at all levels (2). The need for a women’s football strategy and how it can be implemented in an organisation (3). The financial support and programmes that are available to help grow women’s football professionally (4). The benefits of hosting a FIFA tournament and how to approach the bidding process.”

The release added that the handbook aligns with the requisite gender specific and related sections inclusive of FIFA statutes and international match almanac.

“In addition to covering gender matters in organisational structures and governance, this handbook also brings together all gender- specific areas in FIFA’s regulatory framework, ranging from the FIFA Statutes and their female quotas to player registration and the women’s international match calendar,” the correspondence concluded.