Because of the extended need for social distance in the ongoing pandemic, professionals all around the world have come to appreciate just how effective digital platforms can work for communications, networking, and business. But, it can also work for football. Today, the Football Federation of Belize announced its latest digital partnership. They have signed a memorandum of understanding with MatchMakR Limited. That's the company which behind SocaLoca, a mobile app and web-based ecosystem which targets athletes, coaches, team managers, football academies, and tournament organizers. So, what is it and how does it work? Well, SocaLoca is available for download globally by any social, amateur, or professional footballer. It provides users with the ability to create a football profile. With that profile, athletes can showcase their skills, statistics, pictures, videos, and progression in the sport
Also included in the SocaLoca ecosystem is the ability to allow players to engage in football activity in their area, by joining local teams or tournaments.
And, the FFB will become the first national football association to make use of the platform to run local tournaments using the 'SocaLoca competition module.'
Both the FFB and MatchMakR are hoping that Belizean footballers will embrace the app and the digital platform to market their skills and hopefully get scouted by professional teams outside of Belize.
Here's what representatives of both organizations had to say at a virtual ceremony to announce this new partnership:
Rafael Avila - Competitions Director, FFB
"It's good to be partnering with SocLoca and MatchMakR. We're all excited. We welcome the media houses as well for this event. It's a first in Belize for the Federation as well. We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, and we are ready to kick this off, and ensure that we can have our players participate at the same time, getting active in the app, the use of the app. It's gonna be something huge, and I am pretty sure that with this, we'll have our players being scouted, our players being looked at keenly in the sport. We need to showcase our players, and through this, we'll have our competitions running properly as well."
Sayf Ismail - Co-Founder, SocaLoca
"So basically, SocaLoca - both Lionel and I are working in the football industry, and one of the things we realized was that smaller countries kind of struggle, I think, in showcasing talent, and development because of a lack of infrastructure, a lack funds and so on and so far. So, we thought, what if there is an app that could help to democratize football. What if there was an app that could show help showcase talent and bring talent forward from anywhere in the world. If that person or that player has potential, then that player should have an equal opportunity to succeed in the footballing world. Football is the most global game, the most global sport. We've seen this in this pandemic, the importance of football. Even in the pandemic, football has to go on. It gives hope to people, and it keeps us sane, I think. So, the real thought was what if there was an app that could really help the development of football, could help the individual players, could help all stakeholders. And that's where the idea of SoaLoca came out."
