Kilifi Solia Uele has become Tonga’s first participant in FIFA’s Technical Leadership Diploma, marking a significant milestone for Tongan football.
Uele, the Technical Director and Chief of Football at the Tonga Football Association (TFA), is among 26 global football leaders selected for the third edition of the prestigious program. The initial workshop was held from March 10–15, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Uele stated, “It is a lifetime opportunity and I dream to be part of this FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma.” He added, “It is also an honour and proud to be the first Tongan to participate in this FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma.”
The FIFA Technical Leadership Diploma is 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.
Following the six-day workshop, participants will undertake a personalised project focused on their national context, accompanied by a structured programme of online learning. The group will reconvene later in the year for another in-person session, with two more face-to-face blocks scheduled in 2026.
TFA General Secretary Lui ‘Aho praised Uele’s selection, stating, “This remarkable achievement is a testament of Kilifi’s hard working and unwavering honesty to growth of Football in Tonga and the OFC Region.”
FIFA’s Director of Global Football Development, Steven Martens, welcomed the new cohort, emphasising the program’s role in optimising football management worldwide.
Uele’s participation signifies a major step for Tonga, potentially shaping the future of football in the country and the broader Oceania region.
