Fundación Xcalibur, Real Madrid Foundation and I&M Bank Uganda came together to create a high-impact milestone in youth development, after flying in Real Madrid coach to facilitate high-impact training course at Naguru Social Sports School.
Alejandro Fernández Gonzalez, the Head of Training, Research and Development at the prestigious Real Madrid Foundation, conducted a transformative three-day training course at the Social Sports School, from Tuesday May 27th to Thursday May 29th.
This visit culminated from a strategic partnership between Fundación Xcalibur, the Real Madrid Foundation, and I&M Bank Uganda, that was announced in April this year.
The three organizations entered into an agreement to develop and grow the Naguru Social Sports School, as well as promote holistic development, social inclusion, and ethical values through sport.
Gonzalez brought with him not just the prestige of one of the world’s most successful football clubs, but also the club’s globally respected educational model and its 7 core values.
The training course, which was both theoretical and practical, covered areas including the Real Madrid Foundation’s educational model, the club’s seven core values, the process for value inclusion in sport, training contents, methodology, and task designs.
Coaches were the primary participants in the training, gaining hands-on experience and insights into the Foundation’s approach. As part of the practical sessions, the coaches also conducted drills with the children involved in the project, all under the guidance of Coach Fernández.
I&M Bank CEO- Robin Bairstow, who attended the children’s final training session, highlighted that the Real Madrid coach’s visit and the training program marked a significant milestone in the bank’s broader mission to uplift communities through strategic and sustainable partnerships.
“Sport is a powerful tool for transformation, and this partnership is proof of that,” said Bairstow. “Having a Real Madrid coach visit Uganda is not just an honour, it’s a unique opportunity for our young people to learn from the best. We are optimistic that the training will help shape the future for young players, as well as build stronger communities- grounded in values, teamwork, and inclusion,” he added.
The use of sport as a platform for education, inclusion, and personal development offers young people practical skills, positive values, and renewed hope for a better future, while also creating safe spaces to address important issues such as menstrual hygiene.
Annette Nakayiga, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at I&M Bank, said that the Real Madrid coach’s visit not only inspires the next generation, but also provides them with valuable lessons and motivation.
“Real Madrid is a household name- the world over, and having a coach from such a big club come down here is a huge motivation for the youth and all of us as a nation,” Nakayiga said, adding that; “Developments like this make us proud, for they reaffirm our position as a people-centred bank.”
Nakato Angela, the Projects Officer at Xcalibur Foundation, highlighted the positive impact the initiative has had on the host community, noting a significant rise in school attendance at Naguru Katali Primary School, where the project is currently based.
“So far, we have 100 children in the project. Recently, we had 80,” she said, pointing to the growing interest among learners and parents alike. She attributed this surge to the engaging and inclusive nature of the program, which blends sports with life skills, education, and mentorship.
Nakato also revealed that the Foundation, in collaboration with its partners, is working on plans to roll out the initiative to other parts of the country to reach even more children and communities in need of such transformative opportunities.
The Naguru Social Sports School, established in 2021 by the Xcalibur Foundation, is a community-driven initiative located in the Naguru settlement of Kampala. The academy leverages football as a tool for social development, aiming to foster holistic growth among children and the youth in the area.
The Real Madrid Foundation ensures the proper application of its methodology through training and monitoring of coaches, with current training focusing on enhancing knowledge of the Foundation’s educational models and core values.
