FIFA launches football for primary school program to nature talents at grassroots

Kenya primary school teachers coach educators across the country led by FIFA during the launch of football school in primary schools in the country workshop held at Kakamega Golf hotel on July 28. [Benjamin Sakwa,Standard]

The FIFA, Ministry of Education and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have partnered to launched FIFA football for primary schools across the country.

The football for school program is an initiative that runs in 211 countries across the world worth Sh14.2bilion.

The program will be conducted in 47 counties where 47 primary school coaches and tutors will get professional training to teach other football stakeholders in county, sub-county and ward levels for the program.

FIFA Football for Schools Director Fatimata Sidibe during the launch and signing of Memorandum of Understanding of the program in Kakamega county said the program aims at increasing children's participation in football and fostering the development of boys and girls in the sport at primary level.

Sidibe said football for primary focuses on creating a structured pathway that nurtures young players, providing them with the necessary support and guidance to excel in football and pursue national team and professional opportunities in the future.

"Over 2000 primary school children nationwide will be impacted positively by the FIFA Football For Schools program beginning today. This campaign is a significant step towards empowering young boys and girls to excel in football in Kenya ," said Sidibe.

Sidibe said the program is in 211 countries globally and five countries in Africa adding that it also provides a digital hub for youths in terms of innovation and job opportunities.

"The digital hub has the internet that helps the learners to access and have job opportunities and acquire lifestyle skills," she said.

"We need many years to make an impact on the African child, that is why we have done our best to support the young boys and girls in football."

The FKF will get Sh7.1 milion for implementation of the program where the money will cater for transportation of balls, traveling logistics for the 47 trainers and accommodation adding that FIFA has so far bought 5 million balls.

Kenya primary school teachers coach educators across the country led by FIFA during the launch of football school in primary schools in the country workshop held at Kakamega Golf hotel on July 28. [Benjamin Sakwa,Standard]

Eliud Wambua who is in charge of the football for schools programme at Ministry of Education said they are committed to partner with Fifa to enable children who are at the age of below 14 years to discover their talents.

"It's a problem solver for youths because they will spend time in the field playing soccer instead of wasting it on the streets,"he said.

"We will provide chances to all primary schools across the country and every child will have a chance to participate, "said Wambua.

Wambua however warned that the only age recommended is 4-14 years and strict measures will be put in place to ensure no one forges a birth certificate.

He said they are going to ensure the issue of age manipulation comes to an end.

"We have been having many cases that involve adults participating in games that are meant for children and we are proud to announce that moving forward we will be using the NEMIS number from the ministry of education. We are grateful to the ministry for ensuring age manipulation in school games is going to be a thing of the past," said Wambua.

He added that primary schools will also use fields that are closer to their nearby secondary schools.

Wambua said the move is aimed at actualizing the Competency Based Curriculum(CBC).