FUFA Talent ID Framework: Identifying and Developing Uganda’s Rising Football Stars
FUFA on Monday officially launched the FUFA Talent ID Framework that will revolutionize football scouting and development in Uganda. As one of the key components of the Technical Master Plan 2023-2030, this initiative seeks to identify football talent throughout the country.
What is the Talent ID Framework?
The FUFA Talent ID Framework is a comprehensive scouting system designed to identify young football talent across all districts in Uganda. Acting as the backbone of the federation’s strategy to ensure that no potential footballer goes unnoticed, creating a pathway for emerging players. An advanced online platform supports the framework, enabling scouts to profile talents from various competitions.
Overview of the First-Ever Football Scouting Course
The first-ever Football Scouting Course took place at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru. It was specifically designed for regional scouts across the country for practical education. Participants completed 16 hours of instruction before moving on to practical exercises. They will use a blended approach, including practical field exercises, video reviews of live games, and reports from competitions. During the course, a practice match with U14 players helped the 24 trainee scouts assess their assigned players.
Video scouting was also introduced, featuring a match with the U15 national youth team. This module helps scouts learn the essentials of remote scouting, a skill that is becoming more valuable. Moreover, scouts learned how to analyze performances and identify key talents efficiently.
How FUFA’s Framework Supports Talent Development
Under the FUFA Talent ID Framework, the federation aims to place one certified scout in every district in Uganda. This ensures that every young footballer has an opportunity to be discovered and developed. A digital platform was also introduced for scouts to log and profile identified talent efficiently.
Beyond mere identification, the framework’s significance lies in its broader developmental goal; it is also part of a larger developmental plan. FUFA’s initiatives, such as creating a National Football Philosophy, developing player training curriculums, and establishing regional training centers, work together with the talent identification process.
The FIFA Talent Development Scheme Partnership
FIFA Talent Development Scheme Partnership plays a crucial role. The TDS emerged from FIFA’s global talent ecosystem analysis aimed at enhancing football competitiveness. Uganda’s alignment with this scheme strengthens the country’s efforts to produce top-tier football talent that can compete on the global stage.
As noted by Ali Mwebe, FUFA Football Development Director, “FIFA’s expansion of the U17 World Cup offers a golden opportunity for young footballers. FUFA is positioning itself to seize this, ensuring we identify and develop players at the right age for success in global tournaments.”
Future of Football Scouting in Uganda
With technical facilitators like Petros Koukouras, Ali Mwebe, and Jackson Nyima, the program not only focuses on identifying talent but also on nurturing it. These include the development of a National Football Philosophy and a Player Development Curriculum.
The initiatives also involve establishing Regional Training Centres:
- National Football Philosophy
- Player Development Curriculum
- Regional Training Centres
