The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) has embarked upon a new football development programme, starting at youth level.
Francis Amin Michael, president of the SSFA, told KweséESPN that after going through much political instability as a country, they have decided to get back to grassroots and spread the game amongst the youth.
“We have been unlucky in South Sudan because the war has displaced some people and even the young generation have not had enough time to engage in football,” Michael said.
“But with peace returning to the country, South Sudan is once again focusing redirecting the future of football in the country by putting more emphasis on youth development,” he added.
South Sudan were admitted as a FIFA member on 25 May 2012 and have now played in several international competitions, including the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, AFCON qualifiers, CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, and also have domestic teams featured in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
“We have decided to give a lot of focus on promoting the U-15, U-17 and U-20 teams because they’re the future of football in our country,” added Micheal, who was elected last year on a four-year term.
“As a new administration and the Board, we have decided on youth development because it’s the future of football in our country. We have also decided to have a number of coaching courses and requested FIFA to help us.
“All this is geared towards youth development so that we have enough coaches to impart football knowledge,” explained Micheal.
A factor than has hampered the country’s football growth has been funding, but despite the ongoing national economic crisis, Michael says the government is committed to putting funds aside for football.
“Things have changed and the government, after signing a peace accord, have accepted to help us next year. But FIFA has also sent us financial assistance,” he added.
“We have also managed to get some corporates to finance the national coach’s wages, while another sponsors the national league,” he added.
Micheal added that SSFA are in line to join the FIFA FORWARD programme, which will be used to develop the national Stadium in Juba.
“We are happy because football in South Sudan is a big tool in bringing people together despite different political affiliations. Even the rebels could come into the stadium and mix with other people,” added Micheal, who has introduced a Football for Peace tournament.
“We are confident that after concentrating on youth development for some years, South Sudan will become a football powerhouse in Africa because we are energetic people,” he added.