FAME Foundation has announced its new partnership with the French Embassy in Nigeria, ahead of the Olympic/Paralympics Games 2024.
The partnership under the Play it Dream it Initiative, strengthening the inclusion of young people and vulnerable people through sport, will inspire and teach valuable life skills to young people – particularly those that are consistently underserved, excluded, or economically disadvantaged.
A statement by Inyene Idiong, Communications Officer at FAME Foundation reads: ‘An agreement was signed on July 1, 2023 serves as part of its commitment to creating more access and opportunity for the youth while there will be implementation of a wide range of projects aimed at empowering youths, athletes and promoting crucial social causes.
“Far from being limited to the Olympic Games scheduled for the summer of 2024, the French Embassy in Nigeria is committed, in partnership with the NGO FAME Foundation, to uniting young people around the values of Paris 2024: creativity, making the utmost effort and sharing, and thus demonstrate that sport has the power to change everything.
“These projects include, National Breaking Championship across 5 states in Nigeria which will be done in partnership with four different Alliances Française and the Institut Francais of Nigeria in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers and FCT. As parts of line up of activities, a Para Soccer competition, Para Weightlifting competition, Girl-Child Education and Menstrual Health Hygiene Workshop at designated IDP camps and schools, and capacity building seminar for Olympics and Paralympics coaches, ahead of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Tournaments that will take place in France.”
Speaking to the press, Executive Director of FAME Foundation, Ms. Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello said the partnership is an avenue to support Nigerian Youth, Women and Girls, “through this partnership, opportunities will be created that will contribute to youth, women and girls well-being, creativity, and talent discovery while fostering diversity within the sports and underserved community. The Para Sports competition, on the other hand, will provide professional para-athletes the platform to showcase their skills and inspire others to overcome challenges.”
She continued, “since its inception, FAME Foundation has partnered with organizations that are purposefully using physical activities to positively impact communities around the world. With a shared belief that sport is so much more than a game, we are happy to collaborate with the French Embassy in its efforts to create opportunities for millions of young people to engage in sports and break down barriers for those who strive for more.”
FAME Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to empower women and girls, and also, with these projects, we aim to encourage athletes, promote social inclusion, and contribute to a brighter future for Nigeria. The project is financed by the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects (FSPI – R) of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. It aims to support initiatives in the areas of democratic governance, culture, French, higher education and research.
