Technical Directors are key to all FIFA member associations. This was the sentiment expressed by FIFA Technical Director Steven Martens at the first day of the South African Football Association's Technical Directors Workshop at the FA's headquarters.
The former CEO of the Royal Belgian Football Association who currently serves on FIFA's technical committee is part of the three-day workshop aimed at empowering technical directors from various African member associations.
"The role of a qualified technical director is a very important one and is key to the success of a football association," said Martens.
Read: SAFA's TD Workshop Focus
"Together with the general secretary, the technical director is at the forefront or running all the programmes of the association or federation from a sporting perspective. When given the opportunity, technical directors need to lead the national teams, develop youth and women's and formulate grassroots football programmes.
"Furthermore technical directors need to be involved in effective talent shirt initiative and better coaching programmes for all national coaches," added the FIFA man.
He further went on to state that it is important for football associations to allow technical directors to fulfil their mandates in leading all sporting programmes geared towards the advancement of football.
SAFA's technical director workshop started on 10 April and will continue until tomorrow 12 April 2018.
