The eighth edition of the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup ended on Monday morning with Korea DPR edging out Spain 4-3 on post match penalties, after a 1-1 draw in regulation, to lift a third title in the championship.
Likewise, USA beat England 3-0 for third/fourth place play-off to win bronze.
Kenya is gearing up to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in February and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027 and there are so many lessons to be learnt from the Dominican Republic showpiece.
Among them are planning, preparations, execution and dismantling of the whole tournament process to ensure the championship becomes a success.
For planning purposes of any high profile tournaments by world football governing body Fifa and the Confederation of African Football, there has to be total government support in them, as noted by Lidia Rojas, who was the Project Lead, Dominican Republic Local Organization Commiittee (LOC) for the 2024 Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup.
“A deal has to be signed between the state and Fifa, that involves exemptions of taxes , exchange rates, visas, immigration processes and the work permits. This is the first step that a country takes in the tournament organization process,” she explains.
“A country needs a strong football federation, with good solid structures and procedures to anchor the LOC work in the process,” she states.
During preparations phases of the Fifa approved tournament, the LOC, the Government and federation have to come up with strategies on how to improve, refurbish or build up stadiums, training grounds and other facilities needed in the championship which should be time bound in delivery.
“Everything should be completed in time before the tournament,” Rojas stressed.
“LOC should execute all the Fifa requirements for the country, and each role in the LOC should be properly accounted for to Fifa, the way we did.”
Rojas admits hosting the 2024 Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup was not a smooth process for the Dominican Republic as the country is not a football nation. The nation has no football culture as most popular sports are baseball, volleyball and basketball.
“Part of the reason the country won the bid to host this World Cup was to help popularize football in the Caribbean nation.
“Major challenges we faced was the improvement of the two stadiums- the CFC Stadium in Santiago and the Felix Sanchez Olympic arena in Santo Domingo. They were bad in shape.
“We had to import even the standard goal posts as there were non here which were in accordance to Fifa standards,” she stated.
“We had so many barriers ahead of the tournament but in the end we feel very proud to have executed a successful championship. We are happy with the results. The tournament has definitely put Dominican Republic on global front,” Rojas underlined.
While advising Kenya and other nations eager to follow Dominican Republic foot steps in hosting Fifa championships, Rojas stressed the following: “Government support is very key, the state has to be involved, the federation has to work in tandem with the Government, planning and improvement of infrastructures is very, very important as this is what will endear you to Fifa.
“Have a committee with experienced and inspired staff. The LOC should be ready to stretch beyond their limits as they work day and night with Fifa to put the tournament intact and lastly, with passion and commitment, a tournament of such magnitude will be duly executed.
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