Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) Football for Schools Programme |24 March 2023

Mrs Sidibe and Mr Chetty addressing the delegates and guests (Photo: Roland Duval)

‘Football as a means to promote targeted life skills and competencies’

The Football for Schools programme initiated by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association is very important for the country as it targets the development of our children, boys and girls, through football, president of the sport’s local governing body Elvis Chetty has said.

Mr Chetty made the remark yesterday during the official launch of a three-day capacity building course to empower 40 physical education (PE) teachers – 29 males and 11 females – guiding them in managing, delivering and monitoring the Football for Schools (F4S) programme locally.

Launched by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa), in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), the F4S is aimed at contributing to the education, development and empowerment of children.

It seeks to make football more accessible to both boys and girls around the world by incorporating football activities into the education system, in partnership with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

It has been designed to promote targeted life skills and competencies through football and contribute to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) and other priorities.

Locally, the programme will be run by the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF), alongside the Ministry of Education, the youth and sports department within the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family, and the National Sports Council (NSC).

Minister for Education Dr Justin Valentin, principal secretary for youth and sports Ralph Jean-Louis, chief executive of the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) Denis Rose, F4S programme director Fatimata Sidibe, vice-president of the SFF Dolor Ernesta, and Seychelles Consulate for Switzerland Jean-Pierre Latoure were among those present at yesterday’s launch.

The training is being conducted by Fifa F4S manager Antonio Sanchez and technical consultant Alberto Giacomini.

Mr Chetty highlighted that Seychelles feels privileged to join the ever growing number of countries who are embracing the programme for the benefit of children.

He described the F4S as an innovative programme which uses play to educate the young through football.

“Through this programme, as we are aware, football will be introduced in the education system as a means to promote targeted life skills and competencies, contributing to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals and other priorities,” noted Mr Chetty who further added that the ambitious programme has been sanctioned by the Unesco, highlighting its contributions towards the global sport, health, education, development and empowerment of children.

He commended Fifa president Gianni Infantino for the brilliant initiative, and thanked the association for all the assistance given to Seychelles, helping to develop the game of football in our country.

He also made special mention for Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, department of Youth and Sports, NSC, as well as members of the F4S local steering committee, adding that he is certain that as the programme takes hold, more partners, including parents, members of the civil society and the community at large will join in as the benefits become more visible.

In her remarks, Mrs Sidibe noted that the launch of the F4S is a solemn event that witnesses the embodiment of the commitment of Seychelles and Fifa to put the game of football at the service of the Seychelles’ community.

She thanked Mr Chetty and his team for the amount of work done during the past months, leading to the launch of the F4S, while also congratulating Seychelles for becoming the first ever African country to be chosen to host the 2025 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup.

She said, so far, the F4S has attracted 53 countries out of the 211 member states, adding that is so proud that among the local facilitators there are 11 female teachers.

She said, to help carry out the F4S programme locally, other than the training, Fifa will provide 200 balls, along with a financial incentive and a specific digital application.

The F4S programme is aligned with global sport, education and health policies, including Unesco’s Kazan Action Plan, the Education 2030: Incheon Declaration and Framework of Action, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA).

It can be used by member associations (MAs) and their governments to further national development priorities.

Roland Duval