News article
Namibia welcomes FIFA’s Football for Schools programme
FIFA’s Football for Schools programme has launched in Namibia, making it the 16th country in Africa to participate in the scheme.
The programme, which has been rolled out in 50 countries across the globe, aims to make the game more accessible to young people by incorporating footballing activities into education. Football for Schools is also supported by UNESCO, the programme that contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by empowering children.
Over 100 students aged 13 and 14 took part in the launch festivities earlier this month, which were held in the Namibian capital of Windhoek. The children at Jan Mohr Secondary School were joined by 43 coaches and instructors, who had received training in order to expand the programme nationwide.
"It’s wonderful to be able to combine it with the life skills that will allow young Namibians to become better citizens of the world.”
Over 850 schools across Namibia will eventually offer the Football for Schools programme.
FIFA Football for Schools Programme Director Fatimata Sidibe said: “The idea behind the Football For Schools programme came into being in Rwanda in 2018, at a meeting of the FIFA Council. The members of the Council and the FIFA President said they wanted every child in the world, through the 211 member associations, to be able to play football and to learn and pick up life skills as they do so.”
Erastus Someno, Director of Sport in the region of Kavango East, added: “I’ve learned everything I know thanks to football, which has made 80% of my dreams come true. Football is the most important of the least important things in my life. It’s wonderful to be able to combine it with the life skills that will allow young Namibians to become better citizens of the world.”
Image: Virgil Cayasa on Unsplash