In a bid to enhance the global standards of club football, FIFA has unveiled the 3rd edition of the FIFA Diploma in Club Management. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for club executives and former players around the world to deepen their understanding of the industry.
The inaugural course saw Uganda’s own Ivan Kakembo, former SC Villa CEO, standing shoulder to shoulder with illustrious personalities such as Italy’s FIFA World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and former Portugal forward Nuno Gomes. The 40-plus participants in this year-and-a-half-long program will benefit from insights shared by influential figures and gain firsthand experience through on-site visits across various countries.
The comprehensive curriculum of the diploma encompasses six vital modules: leadership and management, sporting strategy and youth academies, marketing and communication, club operations and stadium management, governance and legal matters, and finance. Notably, the program is designed to instill a global perspective, ensuring participants are well-versed in international calendars, competitions, and transfer regulations.
FIFA’s Director of Professional Football Relations & Development, Ornella Bellia, emphasized the pivotal role clubs play in the success and popularity of football globally. Bellia stated, “Football is a global sport, and it is in everybody’s interests that we have strong and successful clubs in every corner of the world.” The FIFA Diploma in Club Management stands as a testament to FIFA’s commitment to leveling up standards and professionalizing club football administration across all six confederations.
Bellia stated, “For this third edition, we will once again bring together a variety of influential figures from across the world to share best practices, helping to provide the participants with the tools and knowledge they need to successfully run a football club.”
Uganda’s Ivan Kakembo believes having more Ugandans enrolling for the course will act as launch pad for professionalism the football industry in the country.
“The nature of insights and knowledge shared is overwhelming, you are able to see football from a better perspective. If we have more Ugandans taking up the course we can be able to reshape the terrain of our game,” he said
Launched in 2021, the diploma aligns with FIFA’s overarching goal of uniting the world through football. As the application period for the 3rd edition remains open until 29 February 2024, this presents a golden opportunity for Ugandan football enthusiasts to contribute to the elevation of the country’s football landscape on the international stage.
