WHO partnered with CAF and UNAF to use the African Schools Football Championship in Cairo as a platform to promote health education and healthy lifestyles among young players across North Africa.
The World Health Organization recently conducted a training workshop as part of its partnership with the Confederation of African Football and the Union of North African Football, aimed at promoting health and well-being through sport among young people. The initiative aligns with CAF’s Protect the Dream programme, which focuses on educating young players on essential health issues and equipping them with the knowledge needed to protect their own well-being.
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The workshop coincides with the CAF African Schools Football Championship for boys and girls under the age of 15, with a qualifying round taking place in Cairo from 24 to 27 January 2026. The tournament brings together young footballers from Algeria, Egypt and Morocco, combining competitive sport with education and messages around healthy living.
Launched in 2021, the African Schools Football Championship has engaged more than two million boys and girls from 45 African countries. In addition to developing teamwork, discipline and sporting skills, the championship serves as a continent-wide platform to encourage healthy lifestyles and positive behaviours among youth.
“Sport is a powerful driver of health promotion. Through our partnership with CAF, we aim to inspire young people to adopt healthier habits that improve their quality of life,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
“This tournament is far more than a football competition. It serves as a vital platform for identifying promising talents, nurturing the skills of both boys and girls, and reinforcing the fundamental values that define sport. Chief among these values are respect, discipline, team spirit and the commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all,” said Dr Hany Abou Rida, President of the North African Union of Football.
