FIFA Launches Football for Schools program

Kakamega

Friday July 28, 2023

KNA By George Kaiga

Kenya is among 23 African Countries that the World Football governing body FIFA has selected to benefit from the Football for Schools (F4S) programme.

The F4S programme is an initiative aimed at nurturing football talent in primary schools to both boys and girls aged between 4-14 years old.

Speaking on Friday in Kakamega during the launch, the FIFA Director for Football for Schools Fatimata Sidibe, said the programme has been designed to promote targeted life skills and competencies through football.

Ms. Sidibe, who was accompanied by Football Federation OF Kenya (FKF) CEO Barry Otieno said FIFA has set aside 100 million dollars for the programme that is also being run in 211 FIFA affiliated countries across the world.

Through the programme, FIFA aims to impact over 700 million children, both boys and girls, across the globe, and in Kenya, the programme is set to directly benefit over 2,000 primary schools across the country, in the first phase.

“FIFA has bought 5 million footballs for the programme and also set aside 500 million dollars for facilitation of schools and trainings” she added.

The training kicked off Friday at Golf hotel and Bukhungu stadium, with a three-day football life skills training session for 50 coach educators selected from all the 47 counties.

The primary school teachers selected for the training are those with a passion for football and who will play a crucial role in conducting football and life skills programmes in their respective schools.

The Director said FIFA has also developed a computer App and manuals to help teach football life skills and training.

Mr. Eliud Wambua, the in charge of Football for School in the Ministry of Education hailed the initiative saying it will go a long way in not only giving children an opportunity to showcase their potential early football, but also craft their pathway for under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) to career progress.

He said the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs Sports and the Arts have earmarked to establish an additional 50 sports talent centres across the country to promote sporting activities.

Under the F4S program, FIFA is working jointly with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO), ministry of education, and Football Federation of Kenya (FKF).

Etiang Mamai, one of the coach educators from Lukhuna primary school in Trans Nzoia County said nurturing talent from tender years of 6-14 was crucial in development of talent among the youth.

Courtesy ; K. N. A