Saudi Arabian football federation in pact with Ghana

The Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFF) has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Football Association.SAFF president Yasser Almisehal and GFA president Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku signed the agreement at a ceremony held at Saudi House in Doha.The agreement aims to develop strong relations between the two federations to help the promotion, growth and success of football at all levels.It provides a framework for collaboration across all areas of the game, from grassroots to elite football, including youth and women’s football.SAFF is committed to hosting both the Ghanian men’s and women’s national teams for matches and training camps as well as exchanges for key experts across areas related to coaching, refereeing or administrative matters."We’re excited to establish this MoU with the Ghana Football Association and create this partnership moving forward,” said Almisehal."The quality and talent in Ghanaian football is known across the world and we at SAFF are keen to work closely together to allow our youngsters to gain valuable playing experience while benefiting from their key insights and strengths. We look forward to working together in a meaningful manner and open up mutually beneficial opportunities.”Commenting on the new partnership, Ghana Football Association president Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku commented: "Ghana has a longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia and it is only right that we expand this level of co-operation to football – an area that unites people”."Our brothers at the SAFF led by President Yasser Almisehal have clearly demonstrated their desire to strengthen their football to reach the highest level and we also have the same vision so it is essential for us to partner in various areas of the game to achieve our aims and objectives.”Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest growing countries in world sport with football at its heart.Over 80% of the country’s 35mn population play, follow and attend football. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has been implementing an ambitious strategy to grow the sport across the kingdom and to become one of the top 20 best football nations. The federation is investing across player pathways, competitions, women’s football, technology, workforce, hosting and governance.Over the last three years, women’s football in Saudi Arabia has experienced unprecedented investment in areas such as grassroots player development, competitions, coaching, refereeing and governance.As a result, SAFF expressed their interest to bid for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, established the first women’s national team last year followed by the inaugural women’s football league and girls’ schools league.