The FIFA Football For Schools Programme commenced in Uganda on Sunday at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru. The three-day event was inaugurated by Sammy Odongo, the Assistant Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports from the Ministry of Education and Sports.
FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim was represented by FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha, who was accompanied by FUFA Executive Committee Member and Executive Secretary for Football Development Ronnie Kalema, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, and FUFA Deputy CEO-Football Decolas Kizza. Also in attendance were FUFA Football Development Director Ali Mwebe, FUFA Education Officer Jackson Nyiima, and FUFA Women Football Development Manager Joan Namusisi.
The FIFA delegation, led by Chief Member Associations Officer Kenny Honore Jean Marie, included Football For Schools Manager Antonio Buenano Sanchez, Technical Consultant Alberto Giacomini, and Associations Africa Regional Coordinator Sousa Silmara.
Justus Mugisha expressed gratitude to FIFA for initiating the Programme, emphasizing its significance in grassroots football development. “We are very grateful to FIFA for this initiative because it targets a crucial stage in football development. By the end of the Programme, participants will gain valuable knowledge which they will then share with other games teachers in their regions,” Mugisha stated.
Odongo, the Guest of Honour, highlighted the alignment of the FIFA Football For Schools Programme with Uganda’s new curriculum, which integrates sports and Physical Education. “The government, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, has incorporated sports into the new curriculum. The FIFA Football For Schools Programme is timely, and we appreciate both FUFA and FIFA for this effort,” he said.
Kenny Honore Jean Marie of FIFA explained the genesis of the Programme, noting that it was created to unite Member Associations and Governments via Education and Sports Ministries, using football as a medium to impart life skills to students.
FUFA selected 50 games teachers from its eight regions to participate in the workshop. These teachers are being trained by FIFA experts and will become certified Trainers after completing the programme, enabling them to train other games teachers in their regions.
Participants were introduced to the FIFA Football For Schools Online Platform (App), which contains educational content to help them plan and execute training sessions for players aged 4-14. The second day of the programme will focus on Safe Guarding and integrating life skills into football.
The event will conclude on Tuesday with an official launch and a Football For Schools festival.
