FIFA's Sense to Assist the Continent

Sensing a duty to assist the African continent above and beyond the realm of sports, the world football's governing body FIFA in collaboration with the European Union, is set to provide mid-career training to more than 300 reporters and photographers across Africa.

The programme is part of FIFA's "Win in Africa with Africa" development programme, launched after South Africa was selected to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup and co-sponsored by the European Union.

A total of 15 journalists from across the West African coast benefited from the programme hosted by Nigeria for English speaking countries in West Africa last week.

Similar training programmes took place in Dakar (Senegal), Maputo (Mozambique), Cairo (Egypt), Nairobi, (Kenya) and Johannesburg (Republic of South Africa).

Mr Guy Jackson, a senior reporter with AFP Foundation, one of the three largest global news agencies conducted the training at the Nigeria Football Federation complex.

The highly educative course centered on : Football History Key Dates, AFP Champions League Match Reports, Building Up A Match Report, interviewing officials, writing colourful stories among others.

This is part of FIFA major undertakings to develop the game, touch the world and build a better future. In recognition of the important role of the media in the game, FIFA has identified the media as a crucial group of stakeholders that is arguably part and parcel of the game.

As co-sponsors of the programme, the European Union recognizes the important contribution that football can make to education and peace in Africa with the help of the media.