Generation Amazing’s football for development programme is being rolled out in 70 primary schools across Qatar and Oman following the completion of ‘train the trainer’ sessions in both countries.
Thousands of children aged 8-12 will now benefit from the programme, which aims to teach life skills through football. They will learn about teamwork, communication, respect and leadership.
Generation Amazing, launched during Qatar’s bid for the FIFA World Cup in 2010, aims to empower and educate young people as part of the legacy of the first tournament in the Middle East.
Nasser Al Khori, Generation Amazing Programme Director, said: “We are proud to be delivering these important learning initiatives through football for the next generation. When we teach values like inclusion, tolerance, respect and communication, these create an inclusive generation. This is a priority for Generation Amazing over the coming years, both in Qatar and the region.”
In Qatar, thanks to support from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, the programme has already been launched in 32 government schools and 18 international schools.
The programme has also trained 50 PE teachers and 30 coaches from Generation Amazing’s strategic partner, Qatar Football Association.
Hissa Yousuf M Al Ali, Director of Training & Education Development at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, said the aim is for the programme to reach 10,000 schoolchildren every year in Qatar.
“We are providing and facilitating resources for the Generation Amazing programme in schools. It’s a way of investing in each child to promote these values. By attaining these values, we are raising confident children,” said Al Ali, who attended the ‘train the trainer’ workshop at Ahmed Mansour School.
Meanwhile in Muscat, the ‘train the trainer’ sessions were organised by Generation Amazing partner SABCO Group before the programme is rolled out across 20 schools in Oman during October.
Football coach Nabil Al Bulooshi committed to the programme when he realised its potential impact on youth across Oman.
“The one aspect that I love about Generation Amazing is that it teaches kids how to deal with people throughout their life. The life skills come before football and this is what we need.” He hoped the programme will continue to grow in the region.