CAF Medical Workshop with Local League Team Doctors aims to transform Women's Football in Africa
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) successfully hosted a two-day Medical Workshop on 17 and 18 November 2024 in Casablanca, as part of its ongoing Legacy Programme. Held on the sidelines of the CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024, the workshop brought together team doctors from the Women’s Football First Division League in Morocco, aiming to elevate medical standards and awareness in women’s football across the continent.
Developed by the CAF Women’s Football Department with the support of the CAF Medical Team and Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the workshop addressed critical topics pivotal to the health and safety of female athletes, including:
- Specific considerations in women’s football in Africa.
- Gender verification regulations.
- Injury statistics in African competitions.
- Emergency response to cardiac arrest on the pitch.
- Concussion management.
- Anti-doping strategies and protocols.
- Effective medical coverage for tournaments and matches.
CAF Medical Committee Member Dr Said Zakini emphasised the importance of the event: ‘’I commend this initiative, which shows CAF's commitment to developing women's football in Africa. By training healthcare professionals, CAF is improving player support and advancing women's sports. My gratitude also goes to the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health for its decisive support in the success of this event. The quality of the facilities provided and the excellence of the organisation have greatly contributed to the smooth running of this training program.’’
The workshop included interactive case studies, real-life scenarios, and discussions on aligning medical standards with global best practices.
CAF Consultant Dr Zakia Bartegi added: " Understanding the specificities of the female body allows us to anticipate issues and leverage its strengths for the development of football. Gaining a better understanding of women enables adopting tailored practices to improve sports performance. Women have a different morphological and hormonal profile compared to men, whose hormone levels remain constant. This difference impacts their emotions. In Africa, women are often misunderstood, as aspects that define them are frequently considered taboo. This is why questions regarding gender verification may arise. Most cases observed on the continent involve victims rather than cheaters, as cultural norms do not always facilitate gender verification.’’
CAF’s initiative to hold legacy workshops underscores the importance of continuous education and training in fostering excellence.
ASFAR Team Doctor Zaier Mohamed Taoufiq expressed his gratitude, saying: "I would like to thank all the participants for the excellent organisation and the relevant topics discussed, as well as for the valuable updates provided. My heartfelt thanks also go out to all the contributors, especially CAF, FRMF, LNFF (Women’s Football National League), and the Mohammed VI Foundation. I would like to take this opportunity to request the frequent organisation of similar activities. Looking forward to seeing everyone next time."
By focusing on different facets of the game, such as coaching and goalkeeping, CAF ensures that all aspects of player development are addressed. The recent inclusion of medical practices in these workshops highlights the holistic approach CAF is taking towards the sport, recognising that player health and well-being are fundamental to their performance on the field.
For further information, please contact:
CAF | Communications Division