FIFA Delegation Visits KFF Academy
During his visit, Tobias Powalla shared his expertise in modern football fitness training with the KFF Academy coaching staff. Discussions focused on developing players' physical qualities, injury prevention and planning training loads in line with age-specific requirements. Academy coaches also had the opportunity to exchange ideas directly with the FIFA expert and further enhance their professional knowledge.
Tobias Powalla also attended KFF Academy matches and assessed the level of the young players.
"If you look at the programme from the outside, KFF is doing a very good job in a number of key areas. Many of the methodologies and structures proposed by the Talent Development Scheme team have already been implemented within the academy. As a result, it was easy for me to integrate into an already well-established system and help drive its further development.
I have noticed that KFF has established a clear player profile for its national teams. These players are physically strong and demonstrate a competitive mentality on the pitch. This shows that the work being carried out in this area is moving in the right direction. Of course, there is always room for improvement," said Tobias Powalla.
The FIFA expert also shared his key piece of advice with the coaching staff:
"The most important thing is to connect all the existing elements of the system. The work being done across different areas needs to be brought together into one unified structure. Only then can you see the full impact of the programme.
Every process should be aligned with the playing philosophy, match plans, game principles, KFF's long-term vision and the Talent Development Scheme concept. My main recommendation is to turn all areas of work into one integrated system," added Tobias Powalla.
Meanwhile, FIFA Talent Development Scheme expert Marian Pahars spoke about the long-term cooperation between FIFA and the Kazakhstan Football Federation.
"Recently, a FIFA Academy was established at the KFF Academy. This is a mark of excellence awarded to only a select number of organisations. To achieve academy status, an institution must meet 54 different criteria. This confirms that the National Academy of the Kazakhstan Football Federation fully complies with international standards.
These criteria include a long-term development strategy, a national playing philosophy, a player development pathway across all age groups, a playing model, infrastructure and staffing. In addition, particular attention is paid to safeguarding and child protection. The federation has established policies in this area and dedicated specialists responsible for implementing them.
Most importantly, all the necessary conditions have been created here for the development of young footballers. Players benefit from high-quality facilities for accommodation, education and training."
Marian Pahars also highlighted that the development of the KFF Academy remains an ongoing process.
"In the past, FIFA Talent Coach Stuart Hall worked with the federation before his role was taken over by Vitalijs Astafjevs. After that, efforts expanded into talent identification and scouting, with FIFA Talent Identification expert Steve Morrow joining the project.
Today, Tobias Powalla has joined our team. Overall, player development is built around four key pillars: technical, tactical, physical and psychological preparation. We are systematically working to strengthen each of these areas.
Going forward, our work will continue not only through in-person activities but also online. Various courses and workshops are already being organised. In September, a major workshop is planned with representatives from Central Asian countries and several European nations.
The event will bring together specialists led by KFF Technical Director Gennadi Skurtul, as well as coaches from the Kazakhstan U-17 national team," concluded Marian Pahars.
