Staff from the Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) have completed another module of the OFC Management Certificate Course, a program designed to strengthen football administration and leadership across the Oceania region.
The two-day course concluded yesterday at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka, bringing together department heads and senior staff from various Fiji FA divisions.
Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Yusuf said the initiative is a collaboration among UEFA, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), and the Member Associations, aimed at empowering football administrators across the Member Associations.
“This initiative is about empowering and educating staff across all our member associations,” Yusuf said.
“The first module was conducted in November, and this follow-up session focused on important areas such as marketing, sponsorship, revenue generation, competitions, and communications.”
Participants were required to present assignments based on work they had been undertaking since the first module. Their presentations will form part of the assessment for the certificate program.
Yusuf encouraged staff to take part in such programs to enhance their professional development and contribute more effectively to the organisation.
“We want to encourage all staff to participate and become accredited. After these sessions, they can contribute more effectively to the success of their respective departments and modules,” he said.
He added that empowering employees is an important part of strengthening the organisation.
“I believe in empowering all staff and allowing them to produce their maximum potential. These learning opportunities help them improve and enhance their performance.”
Yusuf said many of the ideas presented during the course—particularly those relating to revenue generation and sponsor activations—are already being implemented by Fiji FA.
“From the discussions today, I’m pleased to say that we have already been doing about 50 to 60 per cent of the ideas that were presented. However, after these sessions, we must do it even better so that we can deliver maximum value to our sponsors.”
He also praised the confidence and leadership displayed by staff members during their presentations.
“It was inspiring to see many employees step forward, speak confidently, and present their ideas. It shows that there is a lot of talent within the organisation that can rise to the occasion and continue to lead in the future.”
Fiji FA is among the first member associations in Oceania to participate in the program, which has also been rolled out in Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga.
The third and final module of the program is expected to take place in June or July, where participants will complete their final assessments and training as part of the certification process.
