The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee (ExCo) led by its President Ahmad Ahmad yesterday held its second statutory meeting of 2019 in Cairo, Egypt.
Among the decisions officials took was the introduction of three new award categories, namely, the African Interclubs Player of the Year, the best African Club President and a special recognition award for contributions to society were approved.
The 28th edition of CAF Awards for footballers and officials who have excelled in 2019 will take place in Egypt on January 7, 2020 with Official Event Partner, the PickAlbatross Hotel Group.
Meanwhile, the committee approved FIFA Forward football development projects for 2020. The initiative calls on each football association, zonal association or confederation to contribute financial resources towards the development of football, among others, targeting young boys and girls.
They also ratified CAF’s first-ever Safety and Security Regulations as well as the Emergency Committee’s decision to terminate the CAF/Lagardère Sports contract.
Also approved were new organisational chart and refereeing reform project. The lists of the CAF Standing Committees were also approved.
Concerning competitions
The committee approved the hosting of the groups for the CHAN Cameroon 2020. As such, the members chose April 4-25, 2020 as the dates for the final phase of the CHAN Cameroon 2020. They also decided to February 14, 2020 as the date for the Super Cup.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2021 representatives from Africa will be the first, second and third place winners of the Champions League 2020/2021. New formats for youth and women’s competitions based on 12 teams were approved.
The committee also approved opening a tender for the Women’s CAN 2020.
Due to metrological issues, the committee held that the dates of the CAN 2021 will be decided jointly by CAF and the host country. “The CAF administration will now decide the dates, times and venues of matches after analysis of the opinions of the teams concerned,” said a statement.
During the meeting FIFA Secretary General and General Delegate for Africa, Fatma Samoura presented the ExCo members with an overview of the joint FIFA-CAF Roadmap to Reform, which focuses on financial management, good governance, efficient and professional organisation of competitions and the growth and development of African football.
The CAF President thanked the Fatma Samoura, as well as the FIFA team of experts who are advising and assisting CAF with its reform process, for their commitment to elevating African football to the highest levels. These sentiments were strongly echoed by members of the ExCo.
At the end of the meeting, Special Adviser to Ahmad Ahmad Samuel Eto’o was invited by the CAF President to present a new proposal to the CAF ExCo, the creation of the CAF Foundation.
During his address, he said: “We all know the unique role football plays in Africa and how it can unite people and countries and I believe it has the power to change lives. I am delighted to have the opportunity to share the idea of the CAF Foundation with the members of the ExCo today and I hope you share my conviction in this important project.”
Following his presentation, an agreement in principal was reached to give the green light for more reflection on the establishment of the CAF Foundation.
