Building values through sport

The program, which has been in operation for three years in the Andean region, channels and develops the potential of sport for prevention and social rescue by providing training for children and young people, trainers and local referees. So far over 10,000 young people have benefited from sports projects in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

The head of the CAF External Relations Office, Ana Mercedes Botero, said, "the main aim of the CAF Sports Training Program is to strengthen civic culture and foster the values of solidarity and discipline, responsibility and respect, together with ethical-sports criteria transferable to the social level. Football is an important ally in the search for solutions and alternatives for social intervention with young people because it opens spaces for exchanges and makes possible the building of the identity of children and young people."

In Colombia the program is jointly financed with Italian Cooperation, and coordinated nationally by the National Federation of Family Compensation Entities - Fedecajas and Coldeportes.

Currently 600 boys and girls are participating in three sports schools in Bogotá, Cali and Medellín, where they receive integrated training designed to increase individual and collective capacities and facilitate interaction and proactive integration into their social context. Actions are also planned in the area of mental and nutritional development for the young beneficiaries by offering medical, psychological and nutritional support components.

The strategic alliance is carrying out a preventative program which includes training, recreation and social protection for vulnerable communities.

The program is taking place simultaneously in Bogota through the Family Compensation Entity Comfamiliar Afidro benefiting 200 children in the locality of Suba; in Cali through Comfenalco Valle with 200 children in Agua Blanca district; and in Medellín through Comfenalco Antioquia benefiting 200 children in Comuna Trece.

Specifically as part of the programming of the Month of Childhood and Recreation, CAF in alliance with Fedecajas and Coldeportes will sponsor the first CAF Cup Children's Football Tournament "A football for life."

On April 20 and 21, the selected children will have an opportunity to socialize and learn about the sports skills acquired in the schools and the experiences of children from other cities. The Cup will be held in the Comfamiliar Afidro Recreation Club at Carrera 7ª with Calle 220 in Bogotá.