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On the sidelines of the 34th edition of the Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, CAF visited the Lycée Classique de Cocody in Abidjan on Wednesday, 31 January as part of its “Kick and Learn” activity.
This initiative aims to raise awareness in the community by involving young learners and people. The event was launched by CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba and attended by several football legends, including Salomon Kalou (Cote d’Ivoire), Hérita Ilunga (DR Congo), and Daniel Amokachi (Nigeria).
The programme includes several educational workshops with and without a football. The CAF legends also had the opportunity to share their experience with 150 young pupils from several secondary schools in the Ivorian capital, emphasising the educational values of football.
“Since the arrival of President Motsepe at CAF, education has been one of our top priorities. We now have the CAFAfrican Schools Championship, which is played every year. Education is key for us, and we’re going to use football to convey everyone to school. Through football, we want to keep our children busy, give them societal values, discipline and organisation” said the CAF General Secretary.
Former Côte d’Ivoire striker, Salomon Kalou also stressed the importance of education for young people aspiring for a career in football or sport.
“Education and sports are two sides of the same coin. It is an honourable thing to bring together young people in the name of sports and education. I congratulate CAF on organizing this event, and as a CAF ambassador, I am here to support this initiative. To have a successful career at the highest level, it is essential to have education along with talent. Your talent may take you to a certain level, but education can take you much further in life,” said the winner of CAF AFCON 2015.
For coach Kra Jean Ruffin, a sports coach at the Lycée classique de Cocody, said CAF’s visit would boost young pupils’ enthusiasm for the Sport-Etudes programme set up at his school.
“It’s going to motivate our children even more to come to training because it’s not easy, given the heavy workload. Seeing CAF here today is great. Thanks again to CAF,” said the educator.
The “Kick and Learn” campaign aims to highlight the transformative social and educational benefits of African football, as set out in Dr Patrice Motsepe’s 10-point programme for CAF. The event was also attended by Mr Omar DIOP – Country Director of UNESCO in Côte d’Ivoire.
