The Sudanese Football Federation’s Board of Directors convened for its tenth regular meeting via video conference on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
The meeting, attended by 22 members from Sudan, Britain, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, was presided over by Dr. Muatasim Jaafar, from his residence in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan.
After extensive deliberations and a discussion that spanned over five hours, the Board issued the following decisions:
1. Acknowledgment of Commitment Amidst Adversity:
The Board expressed appreciation for the members’ commitment to participate in the meeting, the first since the outbreak of war in Sudan.
Dr. Jaafar commended their dedication as an executive body elected by the General Assembly to organize and manage football activities.
He expressed hope for stability in the country, wishing for the next meeting to take place in Sudan under improved conditions.
2. Recognition of International Support:
The Board commended FIFA, CAF, and UAFA for their substantial efforts and unwavering support during these challenging times.
Despite Sudan’s adversities, these organizations played a pivotal role in the Federation’s decision to continue external engagements for national teams and clubs.
Dr. Jaafar was tasked with exploring the possibility of additional support from these federations after the stabilization of the situation post-war.
3. Report on Pre-War Period:
The Board received a comprehensive report from Dr. Jaafar on the period preceding the war, emphasizing the role of sister federations in Morocco, Libya, Iraq, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia.
Special recognition was given to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for their significant collaboration and success in hosting Sudanese national teams and organizing their camps, facilitating the Federation’s endeavors.
4. Endorsement of Emergency Committee Decision:
The Board supported the decision of the Emergency Committee to increase the number of players in club rosters to 40, including 10 foreign players.
5. Activity Report Amidst Conflict:
Tariq Atta Saleh, head of the competitions committee, presented an activity report detailing the season’s competitive roadmap.
The report highlighted the suspension of activities in mid-April 2023 due to the ongoing war, with the committee recommending the status quo until a notable improvement in security conditions.
6. Extension of FIFA Registration Period:
The Board approved a recommendation to extend the player registration period for an additional month, considering the security situation affecting clubs and players.
7. Update on National Teams’ Performance:
Osama Ata Al-Mannan Hassan, Deputy President and head of the National Teams Committee, presented a report on the performance of national teams since the outbreak of the war.
The Board applauded the achievements in various competitions, including the African Nations Cup qualifiers, the Arab Cup for Under-23 teams, and the upcoming challenges in the qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other regional competitions.
8. Creation of Committee for U-20 Squad:
The Board commended efforts made for the U-20 national team’s participation in the CECAFA tournament in Kenya.
A committee was formed to review the supervising committee’s report on the preparation of the U-20 team, providing a comprehensive report for the next Board meeting.
9. Legal and Financial Amendments:
The legal and members’ affairs committee, led by Mu’taz Latif Al-Shaar, proposed amendments to regulations, allowing committee meetings via video conference or available social media platforms due to the current difficulties of physical gatherings.
The Board accepted the proposals, demonstrating flexibility in these challenging times.
Additionally, financial regulations for complaint fees and fines were adjusted, gaining approval from the Board.
10. Financial Report Approval:
The Board approved the financial report presented by the finance management, taking into consideration all comments provided by the committee.
The Board emphasized the importance of the continued work of the financial committee in implementing policies and recommendations, praising their remarkable efforts led by Taha Faki Sheikh Taha.
This virtual meeting marks an unprecedented approach by the Sudanese Football Federation’s Board of Directors, showcasing adaptability and commitment to the sport amidst challenging times.
The decisions taken reflect a strategic and responsible approach in navigating the complexities faced by football in Sudan.
