Football ignites passion in millions of individuals in Africa. Everyone, especially the youngest participants, deserves to experience football in a secure and nurturing atmosphere,
With the scourging rise in the exploitation of young African talent, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has ramped up its preventative measures with the launch of its safeguarding initiative for the well-being and integrity of African football players, #ProtectTheDream.
This ongoing educational drive aims to raise awareness of the risks of player trafficking and exploitation. It also provides tools to build the confidence of young football players through communication training, promotes the health and well-being of both male and female players, and works towards creating a safe and supportive environment for all players.
Gradually introduced at the recent CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals in Zanzibar, the #ProtectTheDream campaign will be anchored by African football legends, Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Amanda Dlamini (South Africa) and Daniel Amokachi (Nigeria), amongst others who will all play an active role alongside CAF in driving awareness on its fight against player trafficking.
#ProtectTheDream forms part of a number of collaborative programmes spearheaded by CAF that are aimed at creating a safe and nurturing environment for young African football talent to thrive.
Earlier this year, CAF partnered with Mission 89 – an internationally recognised research, education, and advocacy organisation that fights the exploitation of young athletes. The partnership saw CAF conducting Safeguarding and Anti-Player Trafficking workshops with all its 54 Member Associations and Zonal Unions.
“This is an exemplary step taken by CAF in its fight against Player Trafficking. Football has proven to be a tool to change lives, including mine, and fake agents have used this knowledge to prey on Africa’s talent. It is therefore important that CAF, using the power of football, takes such a stand with the launch of Protect the Dream to safeguard the future of African football,” said Adebayor.
Young and senior football players, parents, guardians and academies across the continent are urged to engage with the educational campaign, which will be packaged in various consumable formats, including conferences, workshops, videos, podcasts, and other engaging online content that will be easily accessible across CAF platforms.
CAF will soon announce its collaboration partners who will join the campaign in safeguarding the well-being and integrity of the players.
Source: CAF Online
