CAF to launch new inter-school African tournament

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Sunday 11 April announced plans to launch a brand-new Pan-African inter-school championship.

The project will see the organization of football tournaments in schools across the continent with the pilot project set to be launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo then later spread to the six zones of CAF to the stage of continental finals.

The initiative will make it possible to provide schools with football facilities and set up young referees’ recruitment and training programs. Also, young schoolchildren without distinction of gender will be able to play football and forge links across the continent.

Speaking during its launch in Congo, CAF President Patrice Motsepe emphasized the impact of the tournament in creating opportunities for budding footballers.

“To make progress in Africa, we need to create partnerships that will accelerate growth and put in place structures at the youth level, with a particular focus on schools.”

“Football is sport number 1 in Africa, and it can and must create opportunities in our continent that has many challenges,” said Motsepe.

The competition is projected to help improve lives and instill positive values ​​in young people through the power of football and also promote health and supporting social cohesion by integrating football practice into the school curriculum.

The project in Congo was signed between World Football governing body FIFA and the DR Congo Football Association (FECOFA) with FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura reiterating their devotion to uplift the standards of African football. 

“FIFA is committed with the African Union and CAF to improve the standards of African football, and to offer prospects to many young Africans. We are convinced that football is more than a sport, and that it also brings skills and values. 

“School competitions are the ideal framework to take advantage of this exceptional power and allow young people across the African continent to find inspiration and gain autonomy through football,” she explained.

The dates of the tournament are yet to be revealed.