A grassroots football festival was held on Saturday 13th November morning at Nguvia Community High School field, East Guadalcanal to mark the recent International Children’s Day.
About 50 children, both boys and girls, from the residing area attended the program. The youngest was aged 4 years old and the eldest was 12 years old.
The festival provided an opportunity for the children in the area to try out explore football, express themselves and have loads of fun while doing so. The children aged 10 – 12 years tried different basic football techniques at each of the different stations set up, while the children under 8 years old enjoyed some fun games followed by small-sided games for all.
The program was organized by the SIFF Women’s Football Department together with the Guadalcanal Football Association (GFA) alongside the coordinator for the East Central Guadalcanal Football Development Centre.
The theme of the festival is, “Investing in Our Children means Investing in our Future”
SIFF Women’s Football Development Officer, Antoinette Miniti such festival provides equal opportunity for young children to participate in a safe and fun environment.
“Football plays a contributing role in nation building through our grassroots programs such as this festival that targets young children. It offers them equal opportunities to play and freely express themselves in a safe and fun environment, where values like respect, care, responsibility and fairness are cultured,” she said.
“The more positive learning experiences they have, the brighter their and our future will be.
“I would like to acknowledge all the children who attended the program, their families, Nguvia School and community, the coaches and volunteers of SIFF and Guadalcanal Football Association, for supporting this festival and making it a success.”
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