Federation of Uganda Football Associations, Director of Football Development Ali Mwebe has been selected as one of 25 participants in FIFA’s prestigious new Technical Leadership Diploma launched in Brazil this week.
He joined other selected Technical Leaders from Member Associations and Confederations from around the globe at the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) Training Complex in Rio de Janeiro for block one of the 18-month-long course.
The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma aims to become the ‘globally recognised qualification’ for Technical Leaders working in the game and will prepare participants for the distinct challenges and opportunities faced by a Technical Leader within a Member Association.
Five core domain areas to be covered include Technical Leadership, High Performance, Coach Education, Amateur Football and Management.
“Being selected by FIFA among the 25 pioneer technical leaders all over the world for this course is second to no other lifetime opportunity in football, the course structure and delivery are so unique, very practical and reality-based concerning day-to-day challenges in the job. Global football development is currently very dynamic and no doubt a course of this nature is preparing us to be on top of our abilities to catch up. It’s so exciting starting this 18-month-long learning journey from the legendary football nation Brazil,” Ali Mwebe said
The FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson said that the new development positions FUFA on a progressive track.
“Ali Mwebe being among the selected participants in this unique new course, will position FUFA and Uganda on a progressive track in which our technical challenges will be addressed. As our internal policy, Mwebe will be required to orient the direct stakeholders on the new reality-based technical trends and development trails. We appreciate FIFA for having selected our own Technical Director for Uganda to benefit,” Edgar Watson noted.
The FIFA Head of Global Football Development Steven Martens highlighted the importance of a Technical Leader to the future of the game.
“We are delighted to welcome Ali Mwebe onto our new Technical Leadership Diploma. The role of the Technical Leader is crucial to the future of football and one we believe should have greater recognition,” says Steven Martens.
“Over the last few years, FIFA has been working closely with Member Associations to develop a number of programmes, such as the Talent Development Scheme (TDS). The successful implementation of these programmes relies on the leadership of Technical Leaders. So, naturally, we want to support, develop and work alongside Technical Leaders to help them become the very best they can be and, as a result, help develop the game,” added Martens.
*’Globally recognised qualification’ for Technical Leaders
The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma is the first qualification of its kind and aims to become the ‘globally recognised qualification’ for Technical Leaders working in the game.
“Currently, there is no single award or accreditation that allows an individual to become a Technical Leader in a Member Association,” explains Jamie Houchen, FIFA’s Head of Technical Leadership.
“If a Member Association is looking to hire a Technical Leader, there is no benchmark for quality. We believe the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma will become the globally recognised qualification for Technical Leaders and produce the very highest quality of graduates to lead football around the world.”
Following the six-day workshop in Brazil, the 25 participants will begin their own personal project focused on their unique context and following a programme of online learning. The cohort will meet again for six days in Japan in December with two further face-to-face events to follow.
