EFA OPENS DOORS TO FOOTBALL CAREERS FOR ESWATINI’S YOUTH AT NATIONAL CAREERS FAIR
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has reaffirmed its commitment to developing future football professionals after inspiring hundreds of high school learners during the Waterford Kamhlaba UWC Southern Africa Annual Eswatini Careers Fair held on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
The national careers exhibition brought together leading universities, government institutions, private sector companies and professional organisations from across the country, providing learners with an opportunity to explore career pathways and make informed decisions about their futures.
Recognising football as one of the fastest-growing industries globally, the EFA used the platform to demonstrate that the beautiful game offers far more than opportunities on the field of play. Learners were introduced to the wide range of professions that drive the sport, including football administration, coaching, refereeing, sports science, sports medicine, communications, marketing, event management, finance, safeguarding, information technology, competitions management and talent development.
Throughout the day, the EFA exhibition stand attracted a steady stream of learners eager to understand how they could build meaningful careers within football. Association officials engaged students through interactive discussions, explaining the structure of football in Eswatini, the organisation’s development programmes and the pathways available for aspiring professionals.
Many learners expressed surprise at the breadth of opportunities available within the football industry, admitting they had previously viewed football solely as a playing career. Both young women and men showed keen interest in pursuing careers that would allow them to contribute to the growth of the game in different capacities.
The engagement also highlighted the EFA’s commitment to ensuring that football becomes a platform for education, employment and leadership. Learners were encouraged to pursue academic qualifications and professional skills that could position them for careers in the ever-expanding global football industry.
In addition to showcasing career opportunities, the Association listened to the aspirations and ideas of young people regarding the future of football in Eswatini. Students shared innovative suggestions on improving youth football, increasing participation among girls and strengthening football development programmes in schools and communities.
The exchange provided valuable insights that will contribute to the EFA’s ongoing efforts to build an inclusive and sustainable football ecosystem that serves communities across the Kingdom.
The Association’s participation in the national careers’ fair forms part of its broader vision of using football as a catalyst for social and economic development. By exposing learners to the diverse professions within the sport, the EFA continues to invest in the next generation of administrators, coaches, referees, medical practitioners, marketers, analysts and leaders who will shape the future of Eswatini football.
As the event concluded, it was evident that football is increasingly being recognised not only as the world’s most popular sport, but also as an industry capable of creating meaningful careers and transforming lives. Through initiatives such as the Waterford Kamhlaba Annual Eswatini Careers Fair, the Eswatini Football Association continues to inspire young people to dream beyond the pitch and to see football as a gateway to lifelong opportunities.
For the EFA, the success of the exhibition was measured not only by the number of learners who visited its stand, but by the curiosity it ignited, the ambitions it inspired and the meaningful conversations that reinforced football’s role in shaping brighter futures for Eswatini’s youth.