EAA’s Football4Gaza festival gives support to children in Gaza

Doha: Education Above All (EAA) Foundation’s Al Fakhoora programme, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Generation Amazing (GA), a programme of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) organised the  Football4Gaza festival recently. 

The event offered young people and their families an escape from the destruction and trauma caused by over 14 years of siege, four wars and continuous conflict in Gaza.  EAA and its partners initiated the organisation of the festival, which was facilitated by 50 Al Fakhoora students (Qatar Scholarship programme) who helped staff six activity stations for the participating children, including sports games, storytelling, a cinema bus and scouting games. A highlight of the day was the football match between Al Fakhoora students’ top football players and the Stars of Gaza, made up of some of the best players from teams across Gaza. Talal Al Hothal, Director of EAA’s Al Fakhoora programme, commented: “Children and youth in Gaza have suffered prolonged destruction, loss and trauma, and through #Football4Gaza, we at Education Above All Foundation want to lift their spirits, even for a day. We know how much children love football, and we hope that our programme, which combines physical activity with creative games and special video messages from football and music stars will show this community the world cares about them and their well-being.  We want to thank our partners UNDP and Generation Amazing for helping us organise this festival and carry out our commitment to build up childrens’ courage and inner strength through sports and entertainment.” #Football4Gaza’s closing ceremony included video contributions from beIN Sports Commentator, Hafid Derradji, and former Palestinian National Football Team players Mustafa Nijm and Ramzi Saleh.  In addition, Qatar Legacy Ambassadors Ali Al Habsi, Mohammed Saadoun Al Kuwari, Younis Mahmood and Khalid Salman recorded video messages in support of the children and youth in Gaza, praising their resilience, determination and will power.