THE SA Football Association yesterday hailed efforts by Fifa to promote good corporate governance and put more emphasis on development on the African continent.

Chief executive Dennis Mumble described helping African countries run their affairs in a more professional as a step in the right direction.

Fifa has invited presidents and secretaries-general from the federations on the continent to attend a three-day workshop aimed at helping grow the game on the continent. The workshop started in Johannesburg on Wednesday and will end today with the focus on the duties of technical directors of the federations.

"This is a wonderful project by Fifa to help in growing the game in Africa, with the focus more on development and women's football," said Mumble.

"We are excited Fifa have set aside $900-million for various development projects, countries are encouraged to apply for funding.

"As Safa, we are happy the issues raised by Fifa are in line with the programmes we have already introduced, including channelling more resources into women's football. We also need to encourage more women to participate in soccer at a very early age, it will help us build a solid Banyana Banyana."

On Wednesday night, Safa president Danny Jordaan said they were grateful to Fifa for helping to develop the beautiful game in Africa.

"We have just recently held a successful 2014 Chan in addition to Afcon in 2013 and the 2010 World Cup. Now we need to take our football to the next level.

"This seminar seeks to find common challenges and common opportunities for African countries. If we are to take our game to the next level, we need to put emphasis on infrastructure development and commercial programmes.

"Football has become big business and with such structures in place, it will automatically become a professionally run business."

On behalf of Fifa, secretary general Jerome Valcke said: "We want countries within CAF to make teams professional, negotiate good deals and have strong grassroots development structures."