The African Football Coaches Symposium, which took place in Abidjan on Thursday, September 12, 2024, was the setting for a significant signing between the Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mr. Veron Mosemgo-Omba, and the President of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Mr. Yacine Idriss Diallo. The two leaders signed the "Legacy Fund" agreement, which represents 20% of the contributions from all the partners who supported the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted in Côte d'Ivoire.

As part of this agreement, CAF has granted FIF the sum of 14 million USD, equivalent to 8.5 billion CFA francs, aimed at promoting the development of Ivorian football.

"This money will help reveal new talents and produce the best footballers on the continent, especially here in Côte d'Ivoire. It’s already a significant contribution. This fund will enable the discovery of the next greats, like Yaya Touré or the future Didier Drogba," explained CAF President, Mr. Patrice Motsepe.

FIF President Mr. Yacine Idriss Diallo clarified the intended use of this substantial fund:
"This fund is earmarked for youth football, both for boys and girls. A set of guidelines will be provided by CAF, and we will follow these guidelines in collaboration with CAF to deploy and use the funds effectively. This is exactly what we have been doing with FIFA for other development projects. For now, I cannot specify the exact utilization of this money," he stated.

The funds come at a crucial time for Ivorian football, particularly in terms of infrastructure.
“There are currently no proper stadiums for youth players. If we can build the necessary infrastructure to allow young players to practice and play football, it will be very beneficial. This is where talent is discovered and nurtured,” Mr. Diallo concluded.