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 On 31 March 2008, the Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (CESSM) at Witwatersrand University was inaugurated as the first FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in Africa. The presence of the South African health minister Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and many high ranking officials of Wits and the sporting and medical community of South African indicated that this event created a legacy far beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"The body of knowledge in football medicine needs to be practically implemented so that African players can fully benefit from state-of-the-art prevention, treatment and rehabilitation," said Prof. Jiri Dvorak, MD, FIFA Chief Medical Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC). "We are particularly pleased that the CESSM will ensure this in the host country of the 2010 FIFA World Cup."
"It is a great honour to have been recognised as a contributor to football medicine locally, on the continent and internationally", said Dr Demitri Constantinou, Director of the CESSM. "I view it also as a catalyst for the Centre in the future in all spheres of football medicine, research and educating health professionals to further develop themselves and to give back to football. The 'beautiful game' is a wonderful forum for the uplifting of society both physically and psychologically, and for the promoting of health. We are uniquely placed to have the integration of sport science with medicine, which broadens and strengthens our activities. We look forward to contributing to the visions of FIFA, FMARC, the centre and the university."
The CESSM has been identified as the Centre of Specialisation for Football by the South African Football Association and the South African Olympic Committee. In the SAFA-Wits-National Lottery project, we considerably contributed to the development of football and promoted participation, performance and life skills for young players. Our team offers laboratory and field testing, feedback and recommendations for training. Practising a strictly multi-disciplinary approach, we provide treatment as well as comprehensive rehabilitation programmes tailored to individual needs.
See the following links on FIFA.com:
http://en.fifa.com/aboutfifa/developing/medical/
newsid=697366.html#centre exercise science
sports medicine university witwatersrand
http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/developing/releases/
newsid=727586.html#cessm wits university first fifa
medical centre excellence africa
Download more information:
F-Marc Project Book
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First FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in Africa - combined video |
First FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in Africa |
Inauguration of the Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine |
A visit to the Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine |
Prevention of football injuries in adolescent male football players in South Africa with the F-MARC The 11 injury prevention programme |
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The concept of FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence
Optimum care for football players requires experience not only in state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of injuries, but also in aftercare and prevention. However, the term 'football medicine' coined by F-MARC means much more than that. Doctors trained in this highly specialised field also offer their expertise in football-specific health assessment and performance optimisation, including mental and psychological strategies and diet, as well as comprehensive advice on doping matters. This can only be achieved by an institution combing and coordinating multiple disciplines.
The problem for players, parents, coaches however is finding these truly qualified football medicine experts. In order to assist the football community, FIFA intends to officially accredit established centres that have demonstrated medical, educational and research expertise and have a history of commitment to football. By recognising these elite centres, the football community will know which centres they can turn to when the need for specialised services is required. In addition, FIFA will recognise established clinics that have demonstrated expertise in the care and prevention of football-related injuries and illnesses.
Vision and Aims
FIFA Medical Centres and Clinics of Excellence will promote injury prevention and the improvement of physical health, mental health and well being of the football player by:
- Fostering collaborative relationships with individuals, institutions and organisations to improve player health and support the mission of FIFA and F-MARC.
- Providing state of the art clinical management of football medicine issues including surgical and non-surgical expertise in musculoskeletal medicine for recreational through elite professional players of all ages and genders.
- Implementing (and collaborating with) applied ongoing and novel research and development within the framework and long-term strategy of F-MARC.
- Educating and training the next generation of clinical specialists and scientists committed to football medicine.
Duties and benefits
FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence will:
- Serve as an officially FIFA accredited referral centre for football players
- Serve as a local liaison with FIFA and F-MARC
- Participate in effective communication and implementation of the F-MARC mission and the clinical application of scientific results.
- Function as a regional centre and resource in the worldwide network of FIFA Medical Officers and FIFA Doping Control Officers as needed
- Conduct independent and collaborative research studies with F-MARC and other Centres, according to the centre?s expertise and become a team player in the global research strategy in football medicine.
- To provide educational activities for communities within the framework of the different FIFA and F-MARC educational programmes in football medicine.
To this end, the FIFA Medical Committee started an exacting accreditation process for FIFA Medical Centres and FIFA Medical Clinics of Excellence. A comprehensive application has to be submitted and is reviewed by the respective F-MARC evaluation group. The application of the CESSM has been approved by the FIFA Medical Committee in November 2007.
See the following link on FIFA.com:
http://en.fifa.com/aboutfifa/developing/medical/newsid=697337.html
#fifa medical centres excellence
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