FOOTBALL – Bahrain has received a series of recommendations from football’s international governing body to help develop the amateur game in the kingdom.
This follows the completion of a comprehensive amateur football environment analysis conducted by Fifa, who have proposed a number of initiatives such as the organisation of official national competitions for private academies, schools, and communities featuring players outside of the club system as well as age-group tournaments for girls and national grassroots festivals for children.
The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) were presented with Fifa’s country report with key findings and recommendations following their multi-year analysis of the amateur football scene in the kingdom.
Fifa encouraged the BFA to make full use of the study’s shared insights and to engage with key stakeholders in order to strengthen and advance the amateur game.
The report suggested that the proposed national league for private academies must have structured age-groups and clear quality standards, noting that it would “bring further consistency, support player development, and better integrate private stakeholders into the national football system”.
The report recommended the strengthening of competitive football in schools with national tournaments held in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
These would promote stronger links between the educational institutions and clubs and thus increase the level of participation in football.
Fifa also urged the BFA to work with municipalities and youth centres to organise community tournaments targeting youth and adults outside of the club system.
Such events would “promote inclusion, encourage active lifestyles, and strengthen football culture”, the report stated.
Fifa further proposed a special focus on growing interest in the game amongst young girls by launching leagues for the under-13, under-15, and under-17 categories.
The BFA can also encourage schools and clubs to form girls’ teams and ensure that regular matches are played, therefore expanding access to the game for girls and building a strong talent pool.
Fifa’s report also called for fun, inclusive football festivals in schools and local fields held throughout the year to introduce children aged six to 12, both boys and girls, to football.
These would help “lay the foundations for Bahrain’s successful football future”, the report said.
In line with the conclusion of Fifa’s environment analysis, the BFA recently hosted a workshop presenting the findings of their study, conducted by Fifa regional technical consultant for North Africa and West Asia Belhassen Malouche, and Fifa amateur football analysis manager Amr Moheb.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))