The FIFA Football For Schools Programme in Uganda officially kicked off on Sunday at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru. The three-day event was inaugurated by Sammy Odongo, Assistant Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports.
FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha stood in for FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, accompanied by FUFA Executive Committee Member Ronnie Kalema, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, and FUFA Deputy CEO-Football Decolas Kizza.
Also present were FUFA Football Development Director Ali Mwebe, FUFA Education Officer Jackson Nyiima, and FUFA Women’s Football Development Manager Joan Namusisi.
The FIFA delegation, led by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Kenny Honore Jean Marie, included FIFA Football For Schools Manager Antonio Buenano Sanchez, FIFA Technical Consultant Alberto Giacomini, and FIFA Associations Africa Regional Coordinator Sousa Silmara.
“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 game teachers from the 8 regions of FUFA to take part in the workshop at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.
The game teachers are trained by FIFA experts and will become certified Trainers after three days. They will in turn train other game 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 ages of 4-and 14 which the Programme targets.
Day Two will see participants learn about safeguarding and how to embed life skills in football.
The Programme will end on Tuesday with an official launch and a Football For Schools festival.