Football: President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (Caf) Dr Patrice Motsepe visit |18 July 2022
‘Without resources and financial support, there will always be difficulties,’ says Caf president
We need to make sure that football is globally competitive and also self-sustaining in Seychelles, and that is why I am grateful for the support of the government and its commitment for continuous support, president of the Confédération Africaine de Football, Dr Patrice Motsepe, has said.
He was speaking shortly after a courtesy call on President Wavel Ramkalawan, who is also the patron of Seychelles’ football, on Saturday morning at State House.
Their discussion was mostly dominated by Seychelles’ bid to host the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) Beach Soccer World Cup 2023, something which if materialised will be a huge honour, not only for Seychelles, but the whole African continent.
Dr Motsepe, who flew into country on Friday night for a short official visit, was accompanied at State House by president of the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) Elvis Chetty, principal secretary for Youth and Sports Ralph Jean-Louis and SFF member Robert Payet.
Dr Motsepe said the support of the private sector is also crucial in the development of local football since Seychelles is competing against many countries on the continent and the world that have huge resources.
The partnership between the football leadership, including the local federation and the government is something which he described as “excellent” and something that he is grateful for.
He said most of the successful football nations in the world have resources and financial support and that Seychelles needs more resources to continue growing as a football nation, especially in the area of youth development.
“Without resources and financial support, there will always be difficulties,” added Dr Motsepe who further noted that resources are crucial, especially in youth development which lead towards talent detection for future potential players.
Dr Motsepe said the most thriving football countries in the world started by giving opportunities to their youngsters, the opportunities to enjoy football at a very young age, allowing them to assimilate the basics and at the same time to grow and develop within the game of football.
He commended Mr Chetty for his role in helping Seychelles’ football to grow at all levels over the years; especially the commitment to develop football among the youth, and also for the country’s bid to host the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2023.
He said all the African countries are behind Seychelles to win the bid and host the event which he said will allow the rest of the world to discover Seychelles and also contribute immensely towards the country’s economy, especially in the tourism sector where it will give Seychelles huge visibility worldwide.
As part of his visit, Dr Motsepe visited the headquarters of the SFF at Roche Caïman, along with all the training facilities and the beach soccer arena, and he also attended the SFF’s Grassroots Programme Award, involving over 100 kids, before leaving the country in the afternoon.
The programme is part of the Team Musiala Tournament Initiative aimed at offering children the opportunities to showcase their inner talents and skills through a new tournament which will also give exposure, as well as inspire the young players to be a part of the sport at the next level.
It is an initiative of Bayern Munich and Germany international player Jamal Musiala.
During the event, which was attended by Jamal Musiala’s mother Caroline and Dr Carol Nalletamby (a family member), who also coordinates the programme, Dr Motsepe was presented with two official signed jerseys of Musiala – Bayern Munich and Germany.
On his part, Mr Chetty said during the visit that the SFF had the chance to discuss with Dr Motsepe regarding several imminent projects, including campaigning for the Beach Soccer World Cup 2023, and also the renovation of Stad Linite.
Regarding the latter, Mr Chetty revealed that the government has already given the SFF its go-ahead for the project through legal documentation, while project proposals have already been submitted to Fifa.
Mr Chetty added that the development committee will see the project proposal in August, while the SFF is targeting late December, or February, the latest for the completion of the project.
Roland Duval
Photos: Joena Meme
