Tonga Football Association’s (TFA) Technical Director and Chief of Football, Kilifi Solia Uele, has been selected as one of just 26 participants worldwide for the third edition of FIFA’s Technical Leadership Diploma, a globally recognised qualification for elite football leaders. The first block of this prestigious program took place from March 10–15, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and marks the first time Tonga has ever been represented.
For Uele, the opportunity is both a personal milestone and a national achievement. “It is a lifetime opportunity and I dream to be part of this FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma,” he shared. “It is also an honor and proud to be the first Tongan to participate in this FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma. I am confidence that upon completion of this Diploma I am one of a transformational leader which impact people in Tonga and Oceania region and that will show that we (Tonga Football) are ON THE MOVE.”
The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma is the first program of its kind, designed to become the global benchmark for Technical Leaders across FIFA’s Member Associations. It addresses a significant gap in football administration where no universal qualification for technical leadership currently exists.
“Currently, there is no single award of accreditation that allows an individual to become a Technical Leader in a Member Association,” explained Jamie Houchen, FIFA’s Head of Technical Leadership. “If a Member Association is looking to hire a Technical Leader, there is no benchmark for quality. We believe the FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma will become the globally recognised qualification for Technical Leaders and produce the very highest quality of graduates to lead football around the world.”
Following the six-day workshop in Brazil, participants will now begin a personalised project focused on their national context. This will be accompanied by a structured programme of online learning. The group will meet again later in the year for another in-person session, with two more face-to-face blocks scheduled in 2026.
The course covers five core domains: Leadership, High Performance, Coach Education, Amateur Football, and Management, all tailored to prepare leaders for the distinct responsibilities within football federations.
TFA General Secretary Lui ‘Aho celebrated Uele’s achievement as a major step forward for Tonga. “TFA extends its sincere congratulation to Kilifi the TFA Chief of Football for being selected by FIFA to join the prestigious FIFA Professional Coaching Diploma, a program reserved to only a few worldwide,” he said.
He added, “This remarkable achievement is a testament of Kilifi’s hard working and unwavering honesty to growth of Football in Tonga and the OFC Region. His commitment and integrity have not only inspired those around him but now also earned global recognition and TFA is highly proud of this milestone.”
FIFA leadership also emphasised the strategic importance of this initiative. StevenMartens, FIFA’s Director of Global Football Development, welcomed the new class of participants with optimism.
“We are delighted to welcome Kilifi Solia Uele onto the third edition of our Technical Leadership Diploma,” Martens said. “The launch of the third edition of the Diploma is further evidence of FIFA’s commitment to sustained investment and education of Technical Leaders.”
He continued, “We believe the Technical Leadership Diploma will help each participant optimise the management of football in their own country, both on and off the pitch. The development of exceptional Technical Leaders will also help us in the delivery of our long-term strategic aims to give every talent a chance and grow the game at every level.”
As Tonga takes part in this global initiative for the first time, Uele’s involvement represents a significant moment for the country’s football journey, one that could shape the technical future of the sport in Tonga and across Oceania.
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