The grassroots coaching course, a joint initiative between the Fiji Football Association and the Royal Netherlands Football Association, kicked off at the Fiji Football National Academy in Ba on Monday.
The course is designed to train 33 coaches, including two participants from Tuvalu, with a specific focus on enhancing the football skills of young girls at the grassroots level.
Mohammed Yusuf, the chief executive of Fiji FA, expressed gratitude towards the Netherlands FA for their collaboration in conducting this program.
He highlighted the importance of developing coaches who can nurture the talents of young players.
“This partnership reflects the Netherlands FA’s commitment to supporting smaller countries like Fiji in their football development,” Yusuf said.
The presence of the secretary general of the Netherlands FA in Fiji for this program is a positive sign of the strong partnership between the two associations.
“Since 2016, we have been focused on youth development, establishing a solid structure for nurturing young talents.
“With our technical director Timo Jankowski leading the way, Fiji FA has implemented an extensive program that has garnered attention from our government.
“They have reached remote islands to ensure that young players are mentored and trained effectively.”
Fiji FA is proud of the progress made in youth development and is grateful for the support from sponsors.
Yusuf thanked the Netherlands team for their presence and hoped they would enjoy their time in Fiji, especially during the Fiji Day celebrations.
He also mentioned the unique Fijian cooking methods that the team would get to experience during their stay.
