FIFA Grassroots Project takes off
FAZ, Ministry of General Education and the Ministry of Sports have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will enable the three organisations develop football standards in Zambia from the grassroots level under the auspices of the FIFA Grassroots Project.
The FIFA Grassroots Project is aimed at introducing grassroots football to boys and girls between 6-12 years old and to promote the philosophy of grassroots football in Zambia which will run for three years.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka yesterday, FAZ
general secretary Ponga Liwewe hailed the two ministries for their commitment towards the development of soccer in Zambia.
Liwewe said Zambian football had the potential to develop to greater heights if the three institutions worked together.
He noted that there was need for FAZ with the help of the two government bodies to formulate a legitimate structure for the development of grassroots football.
“This grassroots programme will focus on laying a foundation that will give us the next generations of football stars,
“We believe the programme will put us back on the map and the youth who will take part in this programme will become memorable not on in Zambia but in other parts of the world as Zambian football will become competitive,” Liwewe said.
Meanwhile Ministry of General Education permanent secretary Henry Tukombe said that the project would help bring back the old days of school boy internationals.
Tukombe noted that there was need for the FIFA Grassroots programme to be implemented in the school curriculum as it had the strength to produce responsible youths.
“Sports is a uniting factor which brings people together therefore the idea is a positive one as it will make youths to be responsible citizens. How I wish the programme can be included in our curriculum for it to stay.
“Financial challenges will always be there but there is need to lay a foundation for the benefit of our youths,” Tukombe said.
Ministry of Sports permanent secretary Agnes Musunga said the signing of the agreement was timely.
Musunga said there was need to focus on laying a foundation from the grassroots for Zambia to achieve desired results in the sports sector.
The FIFA Grassroots programme will incorporate health and physical education teachers from various schools in the ten provinces of Zambia.