Witwatersrand University has recently been accredited as a Fifa Centre of Medical Excellence to cater for soccer players in need of medical care, the university said on Tuesday.
The Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at the university would ensure that players received expert medical care and advice.
”This is only one of six centres accredited by Fifa in the world, and the only Fifa accredited medical centre in Africa, said Dr Demitri Constantinou, the centre’s director.
The other five centres are based in Zurich, the United States, Japan, New Zealand and Munich.
Constantinou said a letter from Fifa president Joseph Blatter recommended the institution as ”an elite centre with a history of commitment to football and the respective expertise when specialised services are required”.
All the Fifa centres have been carefully selected, based on a comprehensive application process to prove their clinical, educational and research expertise.
”Their practical involvement in the care of teams and their active commitment to preventing injuries is also considered,” said Constantinou.
Chairperson of the Fifa sports medical committee, Michel D’Hooghe, said it was committed to protecting and improving the health of soccer players worldwide.
”We consider effective prevention and accurate diagnosis as top priorities and make a strong commitment by offering the football community Centres of Excellence,” said D’Hooghe.
He said the centres would also be generally open to every player looking for therapy or a second opinion on a specific illness or injury.
The centre was already accredited by the South African Football Association.
The inauguration ceremony will be held at the university in 2008. – Sapa