FIFA Football For Schools Programme in Uganda officially got underway on Sunday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
The three-day event was officially opened by Assistant Commissioner Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Sammy Odongo.
FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha represented FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim.
He was in the company of FUFA Executive Committee Member and Executive Secretary for Football Development Ronnie Kalema, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson and FUFA Deputy CEO-Football Decolas Kizza.
FUFA Football Development Director Ali Mwebe, FUFA Education Officer Jackson Nyiima and FUFA Women Football Development Manager Joan Namusisi were also present.
FIFA had a strong delegation led by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Kenny Honore Jean Marie, FIFA Football For Schools Manager Antonio Buenano Sanchez, FIFA Technical Consultant Alberto Giacomini and FIFA Associations Africa Regional Coordinator Sousa Silmara.
FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha lauded FIFA for the Programme that touches capacity building as a critical element in football development.
“We are very grateful to FIFA for this initiative because it touches a critical stage which is grassroots football. We believe by the end of the Programme, the participants will benefit a lot and it doesn’t end here because they will go and train other games teachers in their respective regions,” he said.
Odongo who was the Guest of Honour on the opening day indicated the FIFA Football For Schools Programme is in line with the new curriculum that puts emphasis on sports.
“Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports has incorporated sports and Physical Education into the new curriculum and we believe the FIFA Football For Schools Programme comes at a good time. Equipping games teachers with knowledge about football is important and we extend our appreciation to both FUFA and FIFA.” Stated Odongo.
FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer, Kenny Honore Jean Marie explained how the Programme was hatched.
“Football For Schools Programme was an idea started by FIFA aiming to coordinate Member Associations and Governments through Education and Sports Ministries to use football as a way of teaching life skills to students.”
It should be noted that FUFA identified 50 games teachers from the 8 regions of FUFA to take part in the workshop at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
The games teachers are trained by FIFA experts and will become certified Trainers after the three days. They will in turn train other games teachers from their respective regions.
A FIFA Football For Schools Online Platform (App) was revealed to the participants and all were tasked to open personal accounts.
The App has educational content that will guide the participants in executing and planning for their sessions with players between the age of 4-14 which the Programme targets.
Day Two will see participants learn about Safe Guarding and how to embed life skills in football.
The Programme will end on Tuesday with an official launch and a Football For Schools festival.
