- The opening of the second year of the “MTN Naguru Social Sports Academy” captured the attention of Ugandan society last Thursday.
- The project is aimed at encouraging education, conveying life skills for personal growth and development, and promoting healthy life habits of vulnerable children and youth in Naguru, through football practice.
- Xcalibur Foundation, Real Madrid Foundation, MTN Uganda, Youth Sport Uganda, the Ministry of Education and Sports and other members of the Ugandan Government, KCCA and Naguru Katali Primary School staff, attended and enjoyed the special celebration with some of the children participating in the project.
Kampala, 16th of March of 2023. Football is more than a sport. It has the power to bring people together, inspire, teach life skills, and promote personal growth. The “MTN Naguru Social Sports Academy”, a project run by Xcalibur Foundation, is an excellent example of how sport, education, culture, and training can motivate and inspire young people to learn and grow. This academy does not focus on elite sport or the promotion of individual talent, but on a “sport for all” approach to support the personal and social development of girls and boys through quality physical activities and education beyond the classrooms, as well as contributing to their spirit.
Last March 16th, the sun came out in the Naguru neighborhood, allowing a new year at the “MTN Naguru Social Sports Academy” to be successfully launched. After 11 months of implementation, the program “kicked off” the activities for 2023, welcoming the new school year, and strengthening the ties between all the participants, from the partners such as Xcalibur Foundation, Real Madrid Foundation, MTN Uganda, and Youth Sports Uganda, to the students, families and caregivers, school, teachers, and Naguru community.
The event was attended by some of the most relevant institutional figures:
- Reverend Canon Duncan Mugumya, Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports, Ministry of Education and Sports.
- Sylvia Mulinge, CEO, MTN Uganda.
- Javier Lezcano, General Director, Xcalibur Foundation.
- Rosa Roncal, Director of the International Area, Real Madrid Foundation.
- Laura Blanco, Programme Director, Xcalibur Foundation.
Additionally, were the real stars of this program: the boys and girls participating in the Academy! As well as their parents, family, and friends. Not to forget Xcalibur Foundation’s local partner and implementor, Youth Sports Uganda, including the project coordinator, coaches, and social worker. and the extraordinary work they do in this program.
The good weather, the enthusiasm and commitment of all the attendees contributed to the enjoyment of all the activities prepared. The “2023 Opening Event” started early in the afternoon with the opening speech and welcome remarks from the school, Xcalibur Foundation, Youth Sport Uganda and a few parents who shared their testimonies. Throughout the afternoon, the most important guests also addressed the audience.
“We use sport to teach life skills and abilities. This is very important for us as a nation”. Said Reverend Canon Duncan Mugumya, the Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports, Ministry of Education and Sports. “Our focus is not on elite sport, but on the development of these children, into people who appreciate values, who have character, who have heart…”
Likewise, Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda, acknowledged the importance of the work accomplished at the MTN Naguru Social Sports Academy: “Sport is a great platform, and football in particular offers opportunities for soft skills development, such as children’s spirit, composure, resilience, discipline and self-reliance. All these are essential for personal growth in group activities, as well as for building social cohesion in schools“.
Attendees were also able to witness some live demonstrations of the training sessions, in this case, conducted by the children – some of the guests were even keen to take part!
“The children have changed a lot. They are getting better every day”. Assured Javier Lezcano, General Director of Xcalibur Foundation. “Now we want to continue working on the areas we have been focusing on so far, in terms of education and values, the importance of studying and helping your parents at home, being part of the community.”
Rosa Roncal, Director of the International Area of the Real Madrid Foundation, emphasised that “All of us present, form a great team whose mission is to improve the lives of all the children participating in this socio-sporting project. Football is a great tool for development, cooperation, education, and inclusion”.
As Laura Blanco, Programme Director of Xcalibur Foundation, stated: “We have many exciting plans ahead of us! 2023 will bring new activities, new ways of doing things, 2023 will be the year of opening up to communities to maximize the impact of the project and benefit as many people as possible.”
There is no better way to start this new school year than with such a successful event! Thank you so much to everyone for sharing this afternoon with us and all that is yet to come.