CAF Safeguarding programme conducted on sidelines of GIFT U-17 tournament in Dar es Salaam

The ongoing CAF U-17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania has been exemplary in demonstrating CAF’s holistic approach to youth and women’s football development.

In line with creating a safe and secure environment for football development, CAF hosted it’s CAF Safeguarding Workshop on the sidelines of the ongoing tournament on Thursday, 9 January at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

The inaugural edition of the tournament is officially underway in Tanzania, with eight U-17 women’s clubs from the CECAFA region participating.

The full day workshop saw all eight clubs undergoing the in-depth CAF Safeguarding workshop that has been uniquely designed by the governing body of African football to aid coaches, managers, players and key stakeholder with the necessary information to foster safe football development environments.

Since its 2022 launch, the CAF Safeguarding project has gained momentum with the programme being rolled out across all CAF youth competitions.

This is in addition to the CAF Safeguarding Officers that have been appointed and trained by CAF across all its 54 Member Associations.

Speaking after the conclusion of the full day programme, CAF Head of Women’s Football, Maskerem Tadesse Goshime, said it was important to strategically make use of such competitions to educate Member Associations about the CAF Safeguarding programme and its benefit to women’s football.

“Women’s football in Africa is enjoying a period of exciting growth across all fronts. African women’s clubs and national teams are gradually playing to their full potential, with more growth expected in the future. While CAF is encouraged by this growth, it is important that we create and maintain safe and secure environments for women’s football to flourish in a safe and protected spaces. This is why the CAF Safeguarding programme plays a pivotal role across all our efforts in developing the women’s game,” said Tadesse.

Meanwhile, excitement continues to build in the ongoing CAF U-17 GIFT tournament in Dar es Salaam with more fixtures lined up over the next few days.

The tournament is live on CAF’s YouTube channel, CAF TV and can also be followed across CAF’s digital platforms through #U17GIFT2025 

For more on CAF Safeguarding and Women’s Football development, visit www.cafonline.com