In alliance with Right To Play and the support of Odebrecht, CAF provides training to Panamanian coaches on soccer for development

SOMOS -Sports network for development in Latin America, trained more than 40 coaches in Panama City who are volunteers of the New Generation Movement (MNG, for its acronym in Spanish), on the subject of soccer for development. The training took place between April 7 and 11, with the support of the Norberto  Odebrecht Construction Company.

The SOMOS network is an initiative of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, in alliance with Right To Play International. SOMOS supports sports as a tool for the comprehensive and inclusive training of boys, girls, and adolescents in the Latin American region. CAF's principal executive in Panama, Gloria Maduro, pointed out that "the New Generation Movement is a social organization based on the community, which works in Panama on issues related to the comprehensive prevention aimed at children and youths in a vulnerable situation. The technical and vocational training is a priority aspect in the SOMOS agenda, including training on the methodology of soccer for development". 

Right To Play International is in charge of transmitting the knowledge and practice of the sports for development using a methodology that uses the characteristics and intrinsic values of sports to teach social skills, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and the construction of peaceful communities. During this first year of the project, the coaches of MNG will develop and strengthen different skills for life through soccer, so as to promote a sports culture and a positive development in childhood and youth. 

Juan Carlos Cordoba, Executive Director of MNG stated that "With Right To Play we found an amazingly elaborated methodology which we had been trying to insert into our programs for a long time. The form and integrity with which this methodology addresses so many subjects that will influence the character and personality of the children in a cross cutting manner has called out attention".

In addition, Francisco Martins, Sustainability Director at Odebrecht - Panamá, stated that for Odebrecht, it is essential to be a part of these types of initiatives. "For us, to be big does not mean to be involved in many construction works; it means to interact and support the communities. We have social sustainability among our corporate guidelines. It is a line that unites all the businesses, with the purpose of creating a construction model of a better country. We support sports because it simulates life, where there are victories, losses, ties, and it creates a language that is easier to understand by children and youths. SOMOS, having sports as its master line, attracts children who do not live in an adequate family and social environment; thus, the essential concepts for the molding of a citizen are passed on to them."

In Panama, the SOMOS network will address close to 1,200 boys, girls, and adolescents that belong to the communities of  El Chorrillo, San Miguelito, La Chorrera and Tocumen. The program will last for three years, and during that period, sports coaches will continue to receive training, promoting the participation of parents, which provides greater strengthening of the development and social skills of boys and girls.