The Kenya Primary Schools Sports Association (KPSSA) national games’ participating primary school teams are poised to benefit from the FIFA Football for Schools Program, which was introduced in the country on July 28, 2023. This announcement was made by Nick Mwendwa, the president of FKF (Football Kenya Federation), during the final day of the primary school games on August 13, 2023, at Kisumu Boys School. Specifically selected primary schools will receive footballs and other contributions from FIFA, the global governing body for football. Moreover, teachers responsible for the children will be given priority access to coaching courses offered by the Federation.
These teachers will also have the opportunity to utilize the FIFA Football for Schools application, which can assist in structuring more effective football and life skills training sessions. Nick Mwendwa, the FKF President, expressed the importance of targeting primary schools with such initiatives due to the significant amount of time children spend in school. He highlighted the Federation’s dedication to offering young players opportunities to develop their potential, aligning with their long-term goals of qualifying for continental competitions and the 2030 World Cup. Mwendwa also announced that the primary school games will serve as a platform for selecting players for the U15 Kenyan team, which will represent the country in the CAF African Schools Football Championship. Kenya is set to host the competition in November of the same year. The FIFA Football for Schools program is a collaborative effort between FIFA and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
The program aims to increase access to football for both boys and girls globally while promoting specific life skills and competencies through the sport. This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other key priorities. In terms of the recent results of the National Primary School Games: Girls Category: – Western: 1 – Nyanza: 3 Boys Category: – Coast: 0 (10) – Nairobi: 0 (9)