FIFA Football for Schools Workshop in Montego Bay 

By Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Jamaica, June 5, 2023 – FIFA launched a Football for Schools Workshop in Montego Bay Jamaica, a collaboration between FIFA and UNESCO to educate, develop, and empower about 700 million children globally; this makes Jamaica the first nation in the Concacaf region to host a FIFA Football for Schools programme.

Under the initiative, FIFA member associations from the region who are participating, will receive a one-time  payment of US$50,000 to fund their individual programmes under the guidance of key objectives including a result-based management framework and theory of change.  These are expected to foster the development of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive skills.

Fatimata Sow Sidibe, FIFA’s Football for Schools director, in giving an overview of the Programme expressed that a component of it will be results-based monitoring, and to this, part of the US$50,000 will be allocated.

She continued to say, “the monitoring and evaluation will offer the scope for FIFA and UNESCO to collate and analyse data, and refine data collection tools, collate data from all schools and share with FIFA/UNESCO.”

Sidibe further explained that through the Programme, four life-skills themes will be achieved which are, Personal understanding, Relationships, Living in the wider world, and Health and Well-being.

Additionally, she highlighted special components; a free digital application, an online learning platform with relevant content for programme stakeholders and the provision of equipment (including size four Adidas footballs).

Michael Ricketts, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Football Federation’s (JFF) president shone light on the initiative, saying it will be of great help to maladjusted children.

“This will help dysfunctional boys and girls … it will offer an opportunity to address the social well-being of this group,” he said.

“We must applaud the role that ISSA has been playing over the years in developing talents and this initiative will greatly boost what has already been done,” he continued.

Sidibe emphasized this, pointing out that it will foster the global  expansion of football and aid the participants to become global citizens.

“We want every child across the world to have the opportunity to play football through the 211 members associations and in doing so, we want them to learn and develop important life skills,” added Sidibe.

The FIFA delegation as well as the representatives of various regional associations from Concacaf, were  warmly welcomed by Leroy Williams, Montego Bay Mayor.

Williams also gave props to sport as a “unifying force,” bringing the world together, alluding to the event.