Football in Africa is more than a sport; it’s a cultural phenomenon that unites communities and drives socio-economic development.
The Africa Football Business Summit 2023, hosted by the Football Foundation for Africa, brings together industry experts, stakeholders, and football enthusiasts to discuss the game’s immense potential.
For the past two decades, Extreme Sports has been dedicated to grassroots football through the Extreme Super 8 league. This commitment has empowered youth, reduced crime, and provided livelihoods to families.
Grassroots football, the heart of Extreme Sports, aligns perfectly with Football Foundation for Africa’s mission. As we celebrate 20 years of the Super 8 league, we must reflect on the friendships, memories, and contributions to Kenya’s sports history.
However, the challenges in managing football in Africa, especially in Kenya, are glaring. From poor infrastructure, inconsistent development strategies and bad governance, most African federations are struggling to reap the benefits of an ever growing global football economy.
At the heart of these challenges, our struggle to decisively deal with corruption, blatant theft and impunity in the football management remains the biggest challenge. Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba at some point handed a dossier to FIFA, exposing corrupt dealings within Football Kenya Federation. Stakeholders are still waiting for a response from the world governing body FIFA.
In light of these issues, it’s clear that football’s heart lies in its grassroots. The Africa Football Business Summit provides a crucial platform for discussions that can shape the future of African football. We must prioritize grassroots development, engage all stakeholders, and foster good governance to ensure meaningful progress.
As we approach the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, we must remember that our future champions are honing their skills at the grassroots level. Grassroots football offers not only talent development but also socio-economic benefits. However, challenges persist, hindering these projects that rely on goodwill and volunteer support.
In our recent 20th-anniversary celebration, Super 8 league winners were rewarded, emphasizing football’s grassroots roots. Extreme Sports remains committed to nurturing talent and contributing to African football’s growth.
In conclusion, the Africa Football Business Summit is a vital platform for discussions that can shape the future of African football. We must prioritize grassroots development, engage all stakeholders, and foster good governance to ensure meaningful progress.
The issues of corruption, mismanagement, and FIFA’s treatment of African football associations cannot be ignored any longer. It’s time for change, and it begins with a united effort from all stakeholders in African football.
Hussein Muhammed Speech.
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