The FIFA Football For Schools Program successfully came to a climax in West Nile Region on Tuesday with over several Primary Schools benefiting.
FUFA and West Nile Regional Football Association extended the flagship grassroots project to 235 Primary schools who were ably represented by their games teachers.
The event two-day workshop took place in two shifts, starting on Monday 18th November 2024 at Nyarilo Primary School in Koboko District, hosting 113 schools games teachers from the Districts of Koboko (host),Yumbe, Moyo, Obongi, Adjumani and Maracha.
The following day, FUFA Technical team headed by Joan Namusisi and Peter Emojong headed to Arua City where Springs Primary School hosted 122 games teachers from 6 Districts namely; Arua, Terego, Pakwach, Nebbi, Zombo and Madi-okolo.
All the games teachers from those schools were trained under FIFA Football for Schools philosophy which introduces football basic skills and valuable educational life skills packaged in a digital FIFA Football for Schools Smartphone Application.
“Education is vitally important for any nation’s development especially when the country has one of the youngest populations in the world as Uganda does, FIFA Football for Schools will help with this mission using the power of football to teach important values to the young girls and boys and investing in Uganda’s future”. Said FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Key amongst the training topics is the concept Safeguarding of Children. FUFA Safeguarding trainer Phiona Nsubuga conducted sessions related to the concept which ensures a positive environment for participation of minors and everyone in the game of football.
235 schools from the above Districts were mobilized by the Regional Football Association leadership guided by the FUFA Executive Committee Member Rasoul Ariga as well as the Chairman of West Nile Region Football Association Fredrick Isaac Adde.
During mobilisation exercise, FUFA enjoyed the top most support and efforts of District Sports Officers of the respective Districts who supported participation of their respective schools.
The extension of FIFA Football for Schools from one FUFA Regional FA to another is following the commitment of FUFA as confirmed by FUFA President on the projects official launch which happened in June 2024 at FUFA Technical Centre Njeru in presence of FIFA and Government delegation.
On the day of the launch, the FUFA President noted that, “our intention as FUFA is make sure that every young boy and girl has access to playing football. In our Technical Master Plan, we have put keen attention to mass football and there is no better way to do it than having school-going children,”
Upon undertaking a full day training of FIFA football for schools philosophy which includes theory and practical sessions on the field as well as Safeguarding, games teachers are also introduced to the digital application which contains several football and life skills topics.
In the end, each school’s games teacher received a total 15 quality size 4 Adidas footballs that they will use back in their schools while training their players (boys and girls) under the football for schools’ philosophy.
The Project technical team is set to travel to Kitara Regional Football Association on Monday 25th November 2024 where a total of 200 primary schools shall be represented by their respective games teachers in two venues of Fortportal and Hoima on two separate days.
