CAF African Schools Football Championship Capacity Building workshops kick off in The Gambia
The CAF African Schools Football Championship WAFU-A Qualifiers entered a crucial developmental phase on Wednesday as workshops on Safeguarding, Medical and Digital officially commenced ahead of Thursday’s start to the competition.
The sessions, held at Qcity and the GFF Technical Training Centre, brought together young players, teachers and team officials for practical learning designed to enhance player welfare and modern football literacy.
Led by CAF instructors, the safeguarding workshop focused on creating safe environments for children in football.
Participants were introduced to the key principles of child protection, recognising signs of abuse, understanding reporting pathways as well as the Protect the Dream Initiate.
The session emphasised CAF’s zero-tolerance stance on misconduct and reinforced the responsibility of adults to safeguard every participant.
The medical workshop provided hands-on training in basic emergency response, player assessment and injury prevention.
Participants learned how to manage on-field incidents, from muscle strains to more serious situations, using CAF’s standardised medical protocols.
The training also highlighted the importance of early detection and proper first aid in ensuring young players remain healthy and confident throughout the competition.
In addition, the digital drill workshop brought a modern twist to the programme, equipping participants with skills in digital literacy.
The session aimed to prepare young players for the evolving digital landscape of football, where media presence, communication and technology increasingly shape opportunities both on and off the pitch.
These workshops showcased CAF’s holistic approach to youth development — one that looks beyond football technique to include welfare, safety and life skills.
As the WAFU-A qualifiers officially get underway in The Gambia, the training sessions stand as a testament to CAF’s commitment to nurturing not only talented footballers, but empowered, informed and protected young individuals across the continent.