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Football for Schools was launched in Saudi Arabia between 16 and 18\u00a0October 2023; <\/em>Women\u2019s football is growing rapidly in the country; The initiative will help to introduce girls to football from an early age.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n A few short years ago, it would have been hard to envisage a Saudi Arabia where girls and boys could be seen high-fiving each other to celebrate a goal they had crafted together. Not only was football traditionally a male-dominated sport, but it was also generally rare to encounter mixed\u2011gender activities in the country. And yet it was a common sight at the launch of the FIFA Football for Schools Programme in the country, held in Jeddah on 18\u00a0October (https:\/\/apo-opa.info\/3QoxMiK<\/a>). What\u2019s more, it seemed nothing but natural.<\/p>\n Things have changed dramatically in a short space of time in Saudi Arabia. \u201cToday, we have four regional training centres across the country. We\u2019ve also been working on educating female teachers, offering 40 courses so that they can then coach and develop female players in schools. We now have three active women\u2019s national teams and a department comprising 23 staff who work to develop the women\u2019s football pyramid,\u201d said Ibrahim Alkassim, General Secretary of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), upon being asked recently about the growth of the women\u2019s game in Saudi Arabia (https:\/\/apo-opa.info\/3M9MI1R<\/a>). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n His words were backed up by Aalia Abdulaziz AlRasheed, Head of the Women\u2019s Football Department at the SAFF: \u201cI genuinely believe that the growth we are seeing in women\u2019s football in Saudi Arabia is one of the most exciting stories in world football. The development of the women\u2019s game reflects the wider changes currently taking place in various sectors across the country,\u201d she explained (https:\/\/apo-opa.info\/3Q7S0Mz<\/a>). Invited to the country to launch the initiative between 16\u00a0and\u00a018\u00a0October, the Football for Schools team both witnessed and contributed to that development.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Over the course of the three days and under the guidance of Football for Schools instructors, coaches and schoolchildren\u00a0\u2013\u00a0both male and female\u00a0\u2013\u00a0supported and helped each other and pulled together to ensure that the initiative got off to the best possible start in the kingdom. That was particularly fitting to see, since solidarity and cooperation will play such a vital role in making football more accessible to girls and boys in Saudi Arabia, while strengthening the country\u2019s education system by adopting football\u2019s values. That is what Football for Schools is all about.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always so uplifting to see the progress being made by FIFA member associations around the world. The SAFF is a shining light in that respect,\u201d said Fatimata Sidibe, Director of the FIFA Football for Schools Programme. \u201cThe launching of Football for Schools here speaks to the strides the country has made over the past three years. Such outstanding progress lays the groundwork to develop football and life skills.\u201d<\/p>\n More than 120 male and female physical education teachers and coach educators from all over the country received expert advice from Football for Schools Manager Antonio Buena\u00f1o S\u00e1nchez and women\u2019s football experts Susan Ronan Martin and Thuba Sibanda. All of the teachers will be tasked with circulating the benefits of the Football for Schools initiative, which promotes a positive and enthusiastic approach towards the game while offering practical skills in the education and development of children.<\/p>\n \u201cPhysical education teachers and coaches will be able to pass on their knowledge to their pupils, helping them to become better citizens and agents for positive social change,\u201d said Sidibe. \u201cThe SAFF\u2019s enthusiasm and dedication will have a decisive social impact and will pave the way for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n And that\u2019s not all: the scheme also helps in identifying talented young players. And there were already a number of talents showcasing their ability during the launch day on 18\u00a0October, which included friendly matches, training exercises and ball games.<\/p>\n There was certainly plenty on offer to feed the member association\u2019s ambitions: \u201cWithin the SAFF, we\u2019re now wondering whether the men\u2019s or the women\u2019s national team will win our first World Cup,\u201d joked General Secretary Alkassim a few months ago. In any case, everything is now in place to keep the suspense going!<\/p>\n Further information\u00a0<\/strong>(https:\/\/apo-opa.info\/3QoxMiK<\/a>) <\/strong><\/p>\n About Football For Schools\u00a0<\/b>(https:\/\/apo-opa.info\/3tzGIca<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n