The Real Madrid Foundation coaching clinics, which began in June this year in Windhoek and Walvis Bay, recently moved to Otjiwarongo and Rundu respectively.
In a statement issued to New Era Sport last week, the second round of the clinics took place from 16-27 June and the purpose of the football clinics programme in Namibia was aimed at empowering Namibian schoolchildren with critical values such as motivation, equality, respect, discipline, health and wellbeing, teamwork, and autonomy through sport.
“A total of 494 boys and girls (233 in Otjiwarongo and 261 in Rundu) were impacted through the clinics. Similarly, 70 teachers (32 in Otjiwarongo and 38 in Rundu) took part in the clinics to ensure proper skill transfer. Overall, the Real Madrid Foundation clinics in Namibia for 2023 have impacted over 1000 learners and 150 teachers,” the statement said.
It added that the programme is implemented by the Namibia Schools Sport Union in cooperation with the Real Madrid Foundation, on the one hand, and the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, and the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, on the other side.
The Embassy of Spain in Namibia and the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation facilitated the programme.
Cadilu Fishing, a Namibian fishing company, is participating in the programme as a sponsor partner as part of its corporate social investment policy.
The Real Madrid Foundation is a Spanish non-profit organisation linked to Real Madrid Football Club, and its mission is to express, through its social action, the solidarity commitment of Real Madrid by promoting the values inherent to sport and comprehensive education for children and youth, as well as the social inclusion of the most vulnerable.
“Considering that this was a pilot programme, arrangements are at an advanced stage between all parties for the permanent implementation of the programme in early 2024. Permanent implementation will entail the appointment of a technical director who will oversee the programme for the year,” the statement concluded.