Funding from Fifa’s Forward 3.0 project will have a major impact on the daily operations of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), the chairperson of the Fifa Normalisation Committee Bisey Uirab has said.
The Fifa Forward 3.0, which will be launched later this month, will provide more comprehensive funding and support for football development projects across the world than ever before, and all its 211 member federations will benefit from the initiative.
Uirab added that the funding will allow for a smooth and efficient running of the NFA, ensuring that the organisation can continue to develop and promote football in the country.
“We welcome the initiative and I believe any support that comes from Fifa is important in terms of running administrative and developmental affairs. This will help in many areas as it will allow us to execute other programmes here,” he said.
With Namibia and Botswana’s plan to bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, the money will surely come in handy to renovate Namibia’s football stadiums after it was found by Fifa and Caf in 2021 to be substandard and not fit to host international games. Namibia’s national teams have since been playing their international matches in South Africa.
The programme is a four-year initiative starting in 2023 until 2026, and it will see an increase in football development investment of almost 30% and is a direct consequence of the reinforced governance.
Fifa said in a statement issued late last year that two successful iterations of the programme have been completed since its inception in 2016 with over US$2.8 billion (N$46 billion) committed to a diverse array of plans that provide locally-relevant backing to the needs of the six confederations and 211 member associations.
The four-year cycle to the end of 2026 represents an increase in football development investment of almost 30% and is a direct consequence of the reinforced governance and financial situation of the new Fifa since 2016. A significant element of the investment will support Fifa’s goal of having 60 million female players participating in football worldwide by the end of the coming cycle.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was quoted as saying it is vital to strengthen commitments to build a stronger foundation for the growth of football.
“The new cycle will provide increased investment, greater impact through the achievement of football development objectives and continued oversight to ensure that all funds are used responsibly,” he added.
Member associations will receive up to US$5 million (approximately N$85 million) to cover their operational costs in relation to football activities, such as administration and other expenses.
Another US$3 million (N$51 million) will be given to each member association to execute well-planned, specific football projects that contribute to the achievement of long-term football development objectives. This includes newly-planned projects such as building new stadiums or fixing pavilions at the stadiums.
Members identified as needing the most assistance will get up to US$1.2 million (N$20.4 million) each to cover the costs of travel and accommodation for their national teams as well as football equipment.
US$60 million (N$1 billion) is earmarked for each confederation to develop, promote and organise football within the regions of its member associations, while up to US$5 million (N$85 million) is available for each zonal/regional association to organise regional football competitions for men, women and youth.