U.S. support Goals for Girls football tournament
Harare, October 1, 2009: Preparations for the ‘Goals for Girls’ football tournament kicked off on Wednesday when 32 teachers from eight schools underwent a day-long training session at Churchill High School in Harare.
The tournament is sponsored by the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in cooperation with the National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH) and the Mbare Sports for Development (MSD).
The tournament will benefit 150 girls from eight Harare schools. In addition to playing football, girls will undergo life skills training during the course of the tournament. The U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section, which houses an Education USA advising center, will also provide information about education and sports scholarships for participating girls.
“We are pleased to be part of this initiative that will see young girls in Harare enhance their football skills while at the same time learn important life skills such as teamwork, a healthy lifestyle and rights of the individual,” said Tim Gerhardson, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy. “Through sports, a number of Zimbabwean students have earned scholarships to study at U.S. colleges and universities. The U.S. Embassy Harare is supporting the Goals for Girls program to encourage young people to achieve their own goals, whether in sports or in life. In the lead up to the 2010 World Cup, this seemed like a sports diplomacy program that would catch the spirit of Zimbabwean youth and contribute to the development of football in the country.”
Tournament coordinator Ezra Zigarwe told local media that the football tournament and life skills training will influence both the girls and their coaches. "The tournament is targeting girls and this course will equip the coaches with information about how to enable girls to cope with the various challenges they face at home and in school. Ultimately, we want to improve their football skills and their social awareness,” said Zigarwe.
The finals will be held on October 17th 2009.