Mauritius Football Association

FOOTBALL FOR SCHOOL IN MAURITIUS

As the world’s most popular sport serves as a universal language which connects people across the globe a dedicated programme under the aegis of FIFA has recently been launched on the African continent for grassroots level.

In fact, the FIFA football for Schools programme aims at making football more accessible to both boys and girls in each country by incorporating football activities into the education system in partnership with relevant authorities and stakeholders. It is believed that the platform will have Educators, Coaches and Parents to better support, deliver and manage football activities in their schools and communities.

Around the globe, schools remain the most effective and efficient avenue in which to engage young people in sport and through the “F4S programme”. It is intended to complement the efforts of educators and advance education outcomes, thus, assisting governments.

At the Mauritius Football Association, there is a firm belief that football is capable of playing a vital role in the education system and acting as “school of life”. The “F4S programme” can also be used by member of associations (MAs) and their partners to further national development priorities.

In this context, a meeting was held at the seat of the MFA, including some officials from the Education sector namely Mrs Bela Saddul, Head Physical Education Organiser, Mrs Mary Joyce Liu Yuk Pat Agathe, Ag. Senior Physical Education organiser/ Holistic Coordinator, Mr Satchidanand Domah, Ag. PEO Zone 2 and Mrs Sabita Johns, Ag PEO Zone 4.

At the other end, the National Technical Director, Zunaid Mall, in the presence of the General Secretary of MFA, Nazeer Bowud and MFA Administrator, Mr. Nathanael Bignoux, presented this ambitious programme run by FIFA in collaboration with UNESCO which aims to contribute to the Education development and empowerment of around 700 million children.

Zunaid Mall spoke about the Contents and objectives of the F4S programme which 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. The project time line was also discussed and the Technical Director mentioned that the programme will be delivered in a phased approach, beginning with consultations with National stakeholders, followed by the setting up of a steering group for the governance of the project also the submission of applications to be reviewed by FIFA in collaboration with UNESCO.

The officials from the Ministry of Education gave their views on the project, precisely on the calendar of activities. According to the proposals made, a grassroots festival could be launched before the end of 2022 following the signature of a Memorandum of understanding between the parties concerned. It is understood that this project will strengthen cooperation between government, MFA and participating schools, enabling partnerships and intersectoral collaboration. And not to mention that the programme will include a Once-off payment to Member associations (MAs) to manage the programme, a free digital application, an online learning platform with relevant content for programme stakeholders and the provision of equipment that will be distributed to Schools.