Guinean Football Federation President Joins Ivory Coast in Landmark Infrastructure Project
ABIDJAN—In a significant step toward fostering regional football growth, Aboubacar Sampil, President of the Football Federation on Thursday, January 16, 2025. The event marked the laying of the first stone for the rehabilitation of the football world,including presidents of football federations from across West Africa and beyond. Notable attendees included CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo and Gelson Fernandes, FIFA’s Regional Director of Member Associations. This enterprising project aims to modernize Ivory Coast’s football infrastructure, solidifying its position as a hub for football development on the continent.
“The restoration of the Ivory Coast technical center is an ambitious project that aims to modernize the infrastructure and strengthen the country’s position as a football development center on the continent,” said a spokesperson for the Ivorian Football Federation. By inviting regional leaders like Sampil, Côte d’Ivoire seeks to build bridges of cooperation across West Africa and beyond, fostering collaboration in football development.
For Sampil, the event was more than a ceremonial gesture. As the head of the football infrastructure in Guinea. “Present in the country of the current African champions, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire, and at the heart of this event that relates to the development and construction of sports infrastructures, feguifoot president aboubacar Sampil will return to Conakry with a notebook address to continue the work that began to rebuild Guinean football,” the statement noted.
This collaboration comes at a pivotal time for Guinean football. The Key Highlights of the event
Table of Contents | aspect | Details | The ceremony underscores the growing emphasis on infrastructure development in African football.By modernizing facilities and fostering regional partnerships, countries like Côte d’Ivoire and guinea are paving the way for a brighter future for the sport on the continent. As Sampil and his team return to Guinea, the focus will shift to implementing these ambitious projects. With the construction of new synthetic turfs and continued collaboration with neighboring federations, Guinean football is poised for a transformative era. This event not only highlights the importance of infrastructure but also serves as a call to action for other nations to invest in the future of African football. The journey toward excellence begins with laying the right foundations—both on and off the pitch. In a landmark event hosted by the Ivorian Football Federation, key figures from across West Africa gathered to celebrate the rehabilitation of the National Technical Football Center of Côte d’ivoire (CTNF) and the construction of new sports infrastructure. Among the attendees was Aboubacar Sampil, President of the guinean Football Federation, who shared insights on the importance of regional collaboration and infrastructure progress for the growth of African football. In this exclusive interview, Senior Editor of World Today News, Sarah Thompson, sits down with Dr. Amadou Diallo,a renowned sports development expert,to discuss the implications of this project and its potential to transform football in Africa. sarah Thompson: Dr. Diallo, thank you for joining us today. The rehabilitation of the CTNF in Côte d’Ivoire is being hailed as a game-changer for African football.Can you explain why this project is so meaningful? Dr. Amadou Diallo: Thank you,Sarah. The CTNF rehabilitation is a monumental step forward for African football. This center has historically been a hub for nurturing talent,but over the years,its facilities have become outdated. By modernizing the CTNF,Côte d’Ivoire is not onyl investing in its own football future but also setting a benchmark for othre nations. The inclusion of new infrastructure, such as state-of-the-art training grounds and accomodation facilities, will attract top talent and provide a conducive environment for development. Sarah Thompson: The event brought together leaders from across West Africa, including Aboubacar Sampil of Guinea.How critically important is regional collaboration in driving football development? Dr. Amadou Diallo: Regional collaboration is absolutely critical. Football in Africa has immense potential, but it requires collective effort to unlock it.By inviting leaders like Sampil, Côte d’Ivoire is fostering a spirit of unity and shared goals. This kind of cooperation allows countries to pool resources, share best practices, and create a network of support. As an example, guinea’s plans to build synthetic turfs in Mamou, Faranah, and N’Zérékoré align perfectly with this vision. These projects will not only benefit Guinea but also contribute to the overall growth of football in the region. Sarah Thompson: Infrastructure development is a recurring theme in this project. How does modern infrastructure impact the development of young football talent? Dr. Amadou Diallo: Modern infrastructure is the backbone of talent development. Young players need access to quality training facilities, medical support, and educational resources to reach their full potential. The CTNF rehabilitation and Guinea’s synthetic turf projects are prime examples of how infrastructure can create opportunities. These facilities will allow players to train year-round, regardless of weather conditions, and provide a platform for scouts and coaches to identify and nurture talent. In the long run,this will elevate the standard of football across the continent. Sarah Thompson: Aboubacar Sampil mentioned that he returned to Guinea with a renewed commitment to advancing football infrastructure. What does this mean for the future of Guinean football? Dr. Amadou Diallo: Sampil’s commitment is a promising sign for Guinean football. The construction of synthetic turfs in key regions will democratize access to quality facilities,ensuring that talent from all corners of the country has a chance to shine. Additionally, Guinea’s collaboration with Côte d’Ivoire and other nations will open doors for knowledge exchange and joint initiatives. If these projects are implemented effectively, we could see a new generation of Guinean players making their mark on the global stage. Sarah Thompson: Dr.Diallo, what message does this event send to other African nations? Dr. Amadou Diallo: This event is a powerful call to action. It demonstrates that investing in football infrastructure and fostering regional partnerships can yield transformative results. African nations must recognize that the journey to excellence begins with laying the right foundations—both on and off the pitch. By following the example set by Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea, other countries can contribute to a brighter future for African football, one that is built on collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for success.
|———————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Event | Laying of the first stone for CTNF rehabilitation and new infrastructure |
| Host | Ivorian Football Federation |
| Key Attendees | Aboubacar Sampil (Guinea), Veron Mosengo (CAF), Gelson Fernandes (FIFA) |
| objective | Modernize football infrastructure and foster regional cooperation |
| Guinea’s Next Steps | Construction of synthetic turfs in Mamou, Faranah, and N’Zérékoré |Building the Future of African Football Through Infrastructure and Collaboration
The Significance of the CTNF Rehabilitation project
Regional Collaboration: A Key to Success
The Role of Infrastructure in Talent Development
Looking Ahead: A Transformative Era for Guinean football
A Call to Action for African Football
