Jean Sseninde lauds CAF’s investment in developing youth in Africa

Former Queens Park Rangers Women’s FC and Charlton Athletic Women’s FC defender, Jean Sseninde who was amongst a host of CAF Legends that attended last season’s CAF African Schools Football Champions Finals in Durban, South Africa described the innovative initiative by CAF as “an investment in Africa”.

The Ugandan women’s football legend heaped praise on the initiative which is enjoying great success in its second season where 804,480 young Boys and Girls from 28,862 schools across 44 countries have participated.

This is an increase of 40% from the previous edition, with the numbers expected to increase over the next few years.

The competition is headed to the much-anticipated finals in Zanzibar between 21 – 24 May where 12 teams equally divided between U-15 boys and girls representing the six CAF Zonal unions will compete for continental honours.

“Such an experience will certainly go a long way for these kids and CAF has pulled out all the stops in ensuring that they experience a truly professional football competition” said Sseninde.

“This tournament is not just about the football on the field but there are also programmes running on the sidelines, such as the Young Referees Programme, Young Reporters Programme as well as other capacity building programmes such as CAF Safeguarding amongst others. This ensures that there is an even wider transfer of skills by CAF and more importantly, this is the best investment we can do for youth for the betterment of Africa”, she concluded.

The CAF African Schools Football Championship is a first in world football and continues to be testament to CAF’s strategic use of football and education in developing youth in Africa.