By MICHAEL MIYOBA
AFTER launching the FIFA supported tripartite agreement to develop grassroots football in April 2021, FAZ has finally began the process of training teachers from different schools across the country as coaches and referees.
Thirty teachers drawn from all he 10 provinces are taking part in the FIFA grassroots training for teachers facilitated by FIFA instructor, Jean Marie-Conz.
The project will cover boys and girls from 40 schools comprising 20 primary and 20 secondary schools, and in addition to each participating school will receive start-up football jerseys and footballs. And speaking during the launch of the training, FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala said the project which involves the Ministry of Art and Sport and the Ministry of Education was key to develop grassroots football.
Kashala said teachers have been identified as drivers of this process through being trained as coaches and referees.
He noted that FAZ has no doubt that with the training that they will undergo under this programme, they will kick start a turning point in the development of the Zambian game. “Teachers are role models in our communities and will be expected to remain so on this programme. Many thanks to FIFA for having come on board to support this programme. We will make sure we meet your very high standards,” Kashala said. “We have a 10-year strategic plan that seeks to development football from the grassroots. I have no doubt that schools will play a pivotal role in actualising the grassroots programme,” Kashala said.
Meanwhile, Marie-Conz said it was impossible to develop football without the contribution of teachers who play a key role to help nurture talent at grassroots level.
Marie-Conz urged teachers to be proactive in helping to develop soccer at grassroots level noting that the job to develop soccer at grassroots levels cannot be done by FIFA and FAZ alone.
He said there is need for teachers to use the knowledge gained from the training to help raise the standards of the Zambian game to higher heights.
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