- FIFPRO Africa President Geremie Njitap nominated to represent division on player union's global board
- Geremie, who currently sits on FIFPRO’s eight-person interim board, will join the new 12-person global board, subject to member approval at November’s FIFPRO General Assembly in Bali, Indonesia
- Divisional general assembly provided a platform for domestic unions to update each other on the work being carried out in the wider region, as well as shaping FIFPRO Africa's collective vision
FIFPRO Africa has unanimously nominated its president Geremie Njitap to represent the division on the FIFPRO global board.
The election took place during FIFPRO Africa’s divisional general assembly in the Moroccan capital of Rabat on 12-13 September – 17 years since the division was created in Casablanca, Morocco.
Geremie, who currently sits on FIFPRO’s eight-person interim board, will join the new 12-person global board alongside nominees from other divisions and serve a third term on FIFPRO’s global board, subject to member approval at November’s FIFPRO General Assembly in Bali, Indonesia.
"African members wish to reaffirm their unconditional support for the interim board and the administration of FIFPRO which are implementing, under the guidance of the consulting firm Oliver Wyman, the reforms that were approved by the membership last June," Geremie said.
The former Cameroon international also recognised the role of FIFPRO Interim General Secretary Stephane Burchkalter in assisting the global players’ union during the transitionary period. The congress gave African members the opportunity to pay tribute to Burchkalter and celebrate his legacy on FIFPRO Africa having previously served as the division’s General Secretary until the end of last year.
Geremie said: "For 16 years in Africa, we had the chance to rely on Stephane’s vision, work force, ideas and professionalism which charted our course. His actions have allowed us to be what we have become today."
As well as electing FIFPRO Africa’s global board representative, the divisional general assembly provided a platform for domestic unions to update each other on the work being carried out in the wider region, as well as shaping the division’s collective vision.
While the general assembly illustrated the work done by member unions at national level – from Gabon’s lifelines for footballers who have been without pay for so long to Ghana’s strengthening of members and Kenya's mental health programme– the event also highlighted actions carried out at continental level, including the campaign against fake agents in collaboration with the Didier Drogba Foundation and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
FIFPRO Africa also reinforced its stance in the fight for the overhaul of the international calendar and the importance of the player voice in strengthening African football. Geremie said: "If our competitions are less and less interesting, they will be neglected by local broadcasters, more inclined to broadcast matches from elsewhere.
"It is worrying for the future of African football, that the children of our respective countries become attached to and identify in ever greater numbers with the players of the UEFA Champions League rather than against footballers from their own country."
Burchkalter said: "Players must contribute to improving football and all its regulations to allow players to exercise their profession in a peaceful, protected and healthy environment. This framework cannot be defined only by federations, leagues or clubs. Players, coaches, administrators must also be included in the development of football, its competitions and its administrative or social regulations to ensure their legality and applicability."
