Signing of a memorandum of understanding for the football competition in African schools in DR Congo

Today in Kinshasa, FIFA (www.FIFA.com), the DR Congo Football Federation (FECOFA) and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a historic memorandum of understanding that will see the creation of a school football championship.

During a signing ceremony in the iconic Palais des Nations Hall, the President of FECOFA, Constant Omari, the Secretary General of FIFA, Fatma Samoura, and the Minister of Sports and Recreation of the DRC, Marcel Amos Mbayo Kitenge, signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the conditions of the school football competition and its use. the power of play to improve life and instill positive values ​​in young people.

The event, attended by CAF President Patrice Motsepe and CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba, is based on meetings between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and DRC President and the current African Union President Félix Tshisekedi (https://fifa.fans/3dOoCHM) earlier this year. In collaboration with FECOFA, FIFA and the DRC government will organize football tournaments in schools across the country, which has a population of nearly 90 million, before being deployed to several other African countries with the support of CAF.

The initiative will enable FECOFA, FIFA and the DRC government to promote health and support social cohesion by integrating football training into the school curriculum to teach children the importance of teamwork, self-confidence, strategy, following the rules, how to be a good winner and how to deal with loss.

It will also see young people being recruited and trained in counseling, providing football facilities and infrastructure in schools and more girls and boys being physically active and strengthening their bonds with each other through through youth competitions at pan-African level.

Speaking at the signing of the MoU, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “FIFA is committed to working with the African Union and CAF to play its role not only in raising the level of African football, but providing opportunities through football for many children. across our continent that do not have one. We believe in the power of football as more than just a game, but as a way to learn life skills and the school football championship provides the perfect environment to put those skills into action and the opportunity. perfect for young Africans to become inspired and empowered by the beautiful game. ”

CAF President Patrice Motespe congratulated FIFA and the leaders of the DRC for the initiative and the unique opportunity it offers to invest in African youth through the values ​​of football, as well as its potential to inspire African girls and boys to become better citizens.

Following the signing of the MoU, DRC Minister of Sports and Recreation Marcel Amos Mbayo Kitenge reinforced his government’s full commitment to support the project and outlined some of the measures he will implement. room to make it a success, including:

• Allocate a certain number of hours per school week to play football
• Set up financial, structural and operational resources for the success of competitions and the training of school supervisors
• Establishment of a local organizing committee specific to the final phase of the competition
• Ensure the schools championship sees two women’s and two men’s teams qualify for future youth competitions at the Pan-African level