13 April 2018 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) concluded a highly successful FIFA Technical Directors’ workshop after hosting Technical Directors from different CAF Member Associations between 10 and 12 April 2018.

The three-day workshop which took place at the Association’s headquarters in Johannesburg was facilitated by highly experienced FIFA and CAF experts which included FIFA Technical Director, Steven Martens.

Speaking to SAFA.net, the former Belgium FA CEO emphasised the importance of such programmes for Technical Directors who play a highly significant role in an Association.

“One can never over-emphasise the important role played by a Technical Director. Together with the general secretary, the TD is the person who actually runs the Association’s football side through developing more youth programmes, women’s football, better competitions, talent search initiatives and coaching education programmes which will result in more talent being identified and developed” said Martens.

In between the theoretical sessions that took place at SAFA House, the Technical Directors had the opportunity to visit the Kazier Chiefs village to observe one of the club’s junior teams’ training sessions as part of the workshop where they were also welcomed by the club chairman, Mr Kaizer Motaung.

The Technical Directors were also given a tour of SAFA’s Technical Director situated at Fun Valley, south of Johannesburg which will soon become the bedrock of the Association’s development programmes.