The FIFA Football For Schools Programme was officially launched in Uganda on Tuesday at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.
The closing ceremony was attended by FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, along with other key FUFA officials including First Vice President Justus Mugisha, Executive Committee Member Ronnie Kalema, CEO Edgar Watson, and Deputy CEO-Football Decolas Kizza.
Assistant Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Sammy Odongo, and FIFA officials Henry Honore Jean Marie and Sousa Silmara also attended.
FUFA President Magogo praised FIFA for the initiative, emphasizing its role in promoting mass football participation among young children.
“Our intention as FUFA is to ensure that every young boy and girl has access to playing football. This programme aligns with our Technical Master Plan focusing on mass football,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of training games teachers to effectively pass on football skills and values to pupils.
FIFA Chief Member Association Officer Henry Honore Jean Marie explained that the programme aims to teach life skills through football.
“Football has a great impact on society, and we believe it can instil life skills in children. We have partnered with UNESCO and the Ministry of Education and Sports to extend this programme,” he stated.
The programme includes educational content for games teachers to use in teaching both technical and life skills.
The initiative started on Sunday with a workshop for 50 games teachers from primary schools, covering the basics of life skills, game preparation, and teamwork. These teachers will become trainers, spreading the programme’s message through regional workshops.
During the workshop, teachers were introduced to the FIFA Football For Schools App, which provides educational content to guide their training sessions. The programme targets school children aged 4-14, primarily in primary schools.
FIFA supports the programme with one-off funding of $50,000 and 66,260 footballs to be distributed to primary schools across Uganda.
