ZIFA Rolls Out FIFA Football for Schools Initiative in Midlands Province

By Takudzwa Karowangoro

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has officially launched the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) program in the Midlands Province, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of grassroots football in the country.

The initiative aims to empower schools in under-resourced communities by providing them with vital football equipment to enhance physical education and talent development.

As part of the launch, schools across seven districts in the province—Gokwe, Kwekwe, Mvuma, Gweru, Shurugwi, Mberengwa, and Zvishavane received a generous consignment of soccer balls.

The distribution is intended to support the integration of football into the school curriculum while fostering discipline, teamwork, and healthy lifestyles among learners.

ZIFA officials, together with representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, officiated the event and emphasised the importance of nurturing football talent from an early age. They praised FIFA’s support in bridging the gap between elite and grassroots football, especially in marginalised communities.

“The Football for Schools program is more than just a sporting initiative; it is an investment in the future of our youth. By bringing football to the heart of the education system, we are building not only better athletes but also better citizens,” said a ZIFA spokesperson.

FIFA Football for Schools is a global program designed to make football more accessible to boys and girls around the world by incorporating the sport into everyday school life. In Zimbabwe, the initiative is expected to reach even more provinces in the coming months as part of a national rollout.

Local school heads and educators welcomed the gesture, expressing hope that the program would not only boost school sports but also open up new opportunities for learners to be scouted and trained professionally.