The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has underscored its commitment to bolstering football infrastructure across the continent with the initiation of a Stadium Inspectors Workshop at the Mohammed VI Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco. The workshop aims to equip candidates with the requisite skills to monitor and assess stadium infrastructure in the 54 CAF Member Associations.
The opening of the workshop was marked by an address from Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) and CAF Executive Committee Member, who emphasized the imperative of investing in world-class infrastructure and ensuring the maintenance of facilities to uphold international standards.
Throughout the workshop, candidates will delve into key areas, including the CAF stadium’s regulatory framework, inspection guidelines, pitch quality assessment, safety and security protocols, lighting standards, and media and broadcast facilities. These comprehensive training sessions will empower stadium inspectors to guide African clubs and Member Associations in aligning their stadiums with the stringent requirements for hosting CAF events, as outlined in the CAF Stadium Regulations (edition 2022).
The training curriculum, spanning three days, encompasses both theoretical and practical components, supplemented by stadium visits facilitated by designated CAF Departmental Heads. Candidates will undergo rigorous testing to evaluate their proficiency in stadium inspection and assessment, covering crucial aspects such as seating capacity, medical facilities, and broadcast infrastructure, crucial for hosting CAF competitions.
Notably, CAF’s Club Licensing Online Platform (CLOP), introduced in 2022, will serve as a pivotal tool in streamlining stadium inspection processes for continental and domestic competitions. Candidates will receive specialized training in utilizing the CLOP Stadium Module, further enhancing their capacity to conduct thorough and efficient stadium assessments.
Morocco’s pivotal role in hosting upcoming CAF events, including the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, underscores the interest the continent is starting to receive internationally.
