New Era

WINDHOEK - The Namibia Football Association's Galz & Goals project has attracted a staggering total of over 1,200 girls playing in Under-13 and Under-15 football tournaments and trained 92 coaches at five regional festivals this summer.

The festivals aim to create interest for regional leagues beginning in March 2010, and among training coaches and the girls themselves on healthy lifestyles along the way.

The successful hosting of the just ended youth programme, aimed at empowering young girls through participation in organized football has exceeded all expectations â€" prompting the NFA Women's Desk to consider spreading her wings to the far north next year.

The five-legged tour was concluded in the Erongo Region, following the opening leg in the Namibian commercial capital Windhoek (Khomas) before the programme was stretched to Rundu (Kavango), Keetmanshoop (Karas) and Khorixas (Kunene).

Head of the NFA Women's Desk Jackey Gertze, could not heap enough praise on the progress of the programme â€" a joint venture between NFA and UNICEF and Score.

"Every time I think about this programme and whenever we visit the next region, I noticed what an important role football could play to unite young girls in our beloved country."

Gertze said the NFA has through these particular festivals managed to identify a significant number of talented footballers who are gong to be invited for a training camp next year with the ultimate aim of incorporating them into the national setup.

Successful candidates will be included in the National Youth Team for participation in the Hessequa International Youth Cup, South Africa in June 2010, during the build-up to the World Cup.

Through the NFA Basic Coaching Course under the tutorship of FIFA instructor Jacqui Shipanga and integrated healthy lifestyles workshops provided by SCORE Namibia, of which Shipanga is also the national manager, Galz & Goals has so far trained 92 community leaders across the country during the festival season.

Gertze added that she is overwhelmed by the positive response from the regions, particularly the regional sports officers and vowed to continue the campaign next year.

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