One American lawyer, Wendell Willkie once said "Education is the mother of leadership". Along those lines, the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) is currently implementing her first-ever Technical Leadership Diploma in a Granja Comary Training Centre in Brazil which commenced on the 11th of May 2023. The participants of this football development programme were chosen on a global basis and there are 24 participants including Eswatini Football Association’s Technical Director (TD) Bhekisisa Mkhonta. This initial onsite learning period will end on the 16th May 2023 and will be followed by 3 further onsite blocks, with comprehensive distance and self-directed learning between each block. The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma is a globally recognised qualification designed to create an industry standard and offer recognition of competence. It is a unique approach to development that encompasses the various discipline within the technical leadership role. This football development programme will help to prepare the participants for distinct challenges and opportunities presented by Technical Leaders (TLs) within the football association. It is designed to create a generation of transformational leaders who are influencers, decision-makers, and change agents. This programme offers recognition of knowledge, understanding and competence, and bring professional value to the role of being a TL.
The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma is a level 6 accredited vocational qualification awarded by Transcend Awards, developed in partnership with FIFA and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). The Ofqual regulation means that the qualification is recognized globally. A Technical Leader (TL) needs to be adaptable in fulfilling their management responsibility to deliver short term results, while also working strategically towards long term development. The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma will help in preparing the participants for the distinct challenges and opportunities presented by the technical leadership role and the Member Association (MA).