HIBAPRESS-RABAY-CAF
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) successfully organized a two-day medical workshop on November 17 and 18, 2024 in Casablanca, as part of its Heritage program. Organized on the sidelines of the CAF Morocco Women’s Champions League 2024, this workshop brought together doctors from the teams of the First Division of Women’s Football in Morocco, with the aim of raising medical standards and raising awareness of women’s football through the continent.
Developed by the CAF Women’s Football Department with the support of the CAF medical team and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), this workshop addressed crucial topics for the health and safety of female athletes, notably :
- The specificities of women’s football in Africa.
- Gender verification regulations.
- Injury statistics in African competitions.
- Emergency interventions in the event of cardiac arrest in the field.
- Managing concussions.
- Anti-doping strategies and protocols.
- Effective medical coverage for tournaments and matches.
Dr Said Zakini, member of the CAF Medical Commission, underlined the importance of this event: “I welcome this initiative which demonstrates CAF’s commitment to the development of women’s football in Africa. By training health professionals, CAF improves support for players and advances women’s sport. I would also like to thank the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sciences and Health for its decisive support in the success of this event. The quality of the infrastructure provided and the excellence of the organization greatly contributed to the smooth running of this training. »
The workshop included interactive case studies, real-world scenarios and discussions on aligning medical standards with global best practices.
CAF consultant Dr Zakia Bartegi added: “Understanding the specificities of the women’s body allows us to anticipate problems and leverage its strengths for the development of football. Knowing women better allows us to adopt appropriate practices to improve sports performance. Women have a morphological and hormonal profile different from that of men, whose hormonal levels remain constant. This difference impacts their emotions. In Africa, women are often misunderstood, because the aspects that characterize them are frequently taboo. This is why questions about gender verification may arise. Most cases seen on the continent involve victims rather than cheaters, as cultural norms do not always make it easy to verify gender. »
CAF’s initiative to host legacy workshops highlights the importance of continuing education and training to encourage excellence.
The ASFAR team doctor, Dr Zaier Mohamed Taoufiq, expressed his gratitude in these terms:
“I would like to thank all participants for the excellent organization and relevant topics covered, as well as the valuable updates provided. My sincere thanks also go to all the contributors, in particular the CAF, the FRMF, the LNFF (National Women’s Football League) and the Mohammed VI Foundation. I would like to take this opportunity to request the frequent organization of similar activities. »
By focusing on different aspects of the game, such as training and the role of goalkeepers, CAF ensures that all areas of player development are addressed. The recent inclusion of medical practices in these workshops highlights the holistic approach taken by CAF to the sport, recognizing that the health and well-being of players is fundamental to their performance on the pitch.
