February 27 – AFDP Global is doubling the number of its projects supporting refugees living in Jordanian camps.
The social enterprise that bases its activity around using the power of football, will kick-off its next project this weekend in the Azraq Refugee Camp, Jordan, which is home to 40,000 refugees, 60% of whom are children.
Supported by Prince Ali bin Hussein, former FIFA presidential candidate and president of the Jordanian FA , the Azraq project will focus on working with children and young people delivering education programmes as well as football skills training.
The project opener will be a football tournament starting this Saturday for both boys’ and girls’ teams taking part.
Led by AFDP Global in collaboration with the UEFA Foundation for Children, Catalyst Foundation and Lays, the tournament will see 12 under-13 boys’ teams and 18 under-15 and under-13 girls’ teams taking part. The teams have been training for three months for the tournament under the guidance of coaches also living in the camp and supported by the project.
JF Cecillon, CEO at AFDP Global, said: “Football is the world’s common language and has an unrivalled ability to combat today’s greatest challenges. We are proud to have worked closely with our partners to make a positive impact on the young girls and boys in Za’atari, and we are committed to using our expertise to transform the lives of vulnerable refugees in Azraq through football.”
This tournament is the focal point of a much wider scheme that uses football-based education and mentoring to motivate young refugees. It encourages them to use their free time in a safe and healthy way, while learning new skills, developing friendships and fulfilling their potential.
“This tournament offers a fantastic opportunity for the young people to enjoy some competitive football, test their skills and build camaraderie with their teams and within their communities,” said Cecillon.
The Azraq project will look to mirror the successes of the Za’atari initiative where more than 4,500 children and young people living in Za’atari are involved in weekly sports activities, with more than 3,400 tournament matches having taken place since the project began.
Urs Kluser, General Secretary at UEFA Foundation, said: “It’s a wonderful feeling to see how something as simple as a football game can bring so much joy and happiness. Football has the ability to inspire, unite and also teach children important life skills and values, such as teamwork and respect.”
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