Burkina Faso: coaches learning from European experts

This training session aimed to strengthen the technical and professional skills of coaches in order to improve the quality of national sports coaching. Led by European experts such as Landry Chauvin, former coach of Rennes, Nantes, Sedan and the youth categories of the French team, and Christophe Manouvier, the training alternated between theoretical sessions in the classroom and practical sessions on the field.

Nearly a hundred coaches and physical trainers from several regions of Burkina Faso took part. The participants also benefited from an enriching exchange with log lift world champion, Iron Biby.

At the closing of the session, Annick Pikbougoum/Zingué Ouattara, Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment (MSJE), presided over the official ceremony. She described the initiative as "life-saving" and reiterated her department's commitment to supporting initiatives to strengthen the skills of sports coaches.

In her speech, the minister stated: “This is a second initiative after the one carried out a few weeks ago in the field of marketing. It is as a complement to this momentum that he has provided support to our department in the field of training as a whole. Above all, we urge the beneficiaries to make good use of it. Do not just take the certificates and put them away. It must have an impact on the ground.”

Charles Kaboré, the initiator of the program, expressed his gratitude in a message: “Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this second Suudu Andal Sport training session. This session allowed for the retraining of 100 coaches and physical trainers, thanks to the expertise of our European trainers. This training was a real success thanks to the support, commitment, and mobilisation of all the stakeholders involved. I express my deep gratitude for your trust and commitment to the development of Burkinabe sport. Together, we continue to build a more promising future for our youth through sport.”

Landry Chauvin, one of the trainers, emphasized the collaborative approach taken in the training: “We came to share our experiences with the trainees, not to give them lessons. We alternated classroom and field sessions. This was the moment to address game plans linked to physical preparation. Today, these boys must be trained by qualified coaches and the infrastructure must follow. That is exactly what is being done.”

Véronique Yonli, coach of the U15 national women’s team, highlighted the concrete aspect of the instruction: “We were able to master working collectively with the ball. We also worked on how to formulate the objective of a session. If the objective is vague, the players will not really understand or be able to implement it.”

The 3rd vice-president of the FBF, Kassoum Traoré, welcomed the move towards specialization: “These training sessions help strengthen the coach retraining component and above all open the door to the specialization of physical trainers as envisioned in the Burkinabe Football Federation’s coaching strategy.” Finally, Mohamadi Bagué, assistant coach of the U20 Étalons, highlighted the importance of continuous updating: “Football is an ever-changing field, and being able to meet with top-level trainers to share experiences enables us to learn at all levels.” On behalf of the beneficiaries, Antoine Ilboudo thanked the trainers and the authorities for the quality of the instruction provided.

A major milestone for Burkinabe football

This second session of the Suudu Andal Sport program forms part of a broader dynamic of professionalizing national football. By strengthening the skills of technical coaches, it aims to raise the level of play in the first and second division championships and contribute to the overall development of sport in Burkina Faso.