Chadian football has ushered in a new chapter with the election of Tahir Oloy Hassan as the president of the Chadian Football Association Federation (FTFA).
Running unopposed, Hassan secured an overwhelming 58 votes out of 59, marking a near-unanimous endorsement of his leadership with 99.99% of the vote.
His election comes at a crucial moment for Chadian football, which has faced prolonged governance struggles, including a FIFA suspension in 2021 due to interference from the Ministry of Sports.
That decision led to the establishment of a Normalization Committee, tasked with stabilizing the federation and creating a pathway to credible elections.
However, persistent tensions delayed the electoral process until now, when stakeholders finally gave their resounding approval for Hassan to lead.
A Vision for Reform and Growth
Hassan assumes leadership with an ambitious 11-point agenda, aimed at revitalizing Chad’s football structure. His proposed reforms include:
- Governance restructuring to ensure stability and transparency.
- Expansion of national competitions, ensuring regular domestic league activity.
- Development of women’s football to enhance inclusivity.
- Improved training programs for coaches, referees, and technical staff.
- Reform of provincial leagues and club management to strengthen grassroots football.
- Reinforcement of Chad’s national teams (SAO) to improve international competitiveness.
- Creation of a communications department to enhance media engagement and branding.
- Mobilization of financial resources, with a projected budget of 42 billion FCFA.
Among his top priorities is the recruitment of qualified personnel to enhance the efficiency of the FTFA and improve the structure of Chad’s national team selections.
A Call for Unity in Chadian Football
Acknowledging the deep-rooted challenges facing Chadian football, Hassan emphasized the importance of unity in his inaugural speech, urging all stakeholders to work together to achieve lasting progress.
“Our program will only be done with you. Its purpose is to raise Chadian football to the top,” he declared with conviction.
His election represents a turning point for football in Chad, but the real test lies in translating his vision into concrete action.
With a football landscape that has been plagued by administrative setbacks and limited resources, Hassan’s leadership will be closely watched both nationally and internationally.
Restoring Chad’s Footballing Image
With his bold vision and extensive reform plan, Hassan faces the challenge of restoring Chad’s credibility on the footballing stage.
His tenure will not only determine the future of domestic leagues and national teams but also influence Chad’s standing within CAF and FIFA.
As he takes office, Chadian football fans and stakeholders will be hoping that his promises of structural reform and revitalization can finally end years of instability and usher in a new era of progress and success.
