The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) was honoured to participate in the official launch of the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) programme in Cameroon. The highย level ceremony, held on 25 March 2026 at Government Public School Bastos in Yaoundรฉ, was graced by the Minister of Basic Education and the Minister of Sports and Physical Education of the Republic of Cameroon, the Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Benin, the President of FECAFOOT, and FIFA Deputy Chief of the Member Associations Division / Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Gelson Fernandes, along with Cameroonian football legends Roger Milla, Rigobert Song, and Alexandre Song.
For the first time, children and participants in the F4S event proudly wore Tโshirts and polo shirts produced within the Cottonโ4 Plus (C4+) countries of West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Cรดte dโIvoire. The initiative is part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 between FIFA and the World Trade Organization (WTO), aimed at strengthening the African cotton value chain and creating more local economic opportunities instead of exporting cotton as a raw material.
The FIFA Football for Schools initiative integrates lifeโskills education into football activities for children aged 4 to 14, supporting their lifeโskills development, promoting active and healthy lifestyles, and strengthening the capacity of teachers while contributing to the development of coaching pathways and talent identification.
Cameroon, and FECAFOOT in particular, now joins other countries benefiting from the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) programme. Through this initiative, FECAFOOT will strengthen its grassroots and early talentโdevelopment pipeline, integrate structured football activities into primary schools, and enhance the capacity of teachers and grassroots coaches through dedicated training. The programme also provides footballs and supports the creation of safe, structured schoolโfootball environments.
The FIFA Football for Schools programme aligns closely with the African Union strategic priorities, particularly in advancing safe access to sport, promoting Sport for All, supporting lifeโskills development and active, healthy lifestyles, and enhancing the capacity of teachers, coaching pathways, and talent identification.
