WHO EMRO – WHO and CAF promote healthy lifestyles at the U-15 African Schools Football Championship

Young players from North African countries in active interaction during WHO workshop on health and sports as part of partnership activities with CAF and UNAF Photo credit: WHO/EMRO

26 January 2026, Cairo, Egypt – The World Health Organization (WHO) held a training workshop yesterday in the context of its partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Union of North African Football (UNAF) to promote health and well-being through sport among young people. This collaboration forms part of CAF’s Protect the Dream initiative, which seeks to educate players on key health topics and empower them to safeguard their own well-being.

The CAF African Schools Football Championship for boys and girls under 15, a round of which is taking place in Cairo from 24 to 27 January 2026, brings together talented players from 3 north African countries – Algeria, Egypt and Morocco – for a celebration of football, education and healthy living.

Since the Championship was launched in 2021, over 2 million boys and girls from 45 African countries have taken part. Beyond the teamwork and discipline learned on the pitch, the competition provides a platform to promote healthy lifestyles.

“Sport is a powerful driver of health promotion. Through our partnership with CAF, we aim to inspire young people to adopt healthier habits that improve their quality of life,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Promoting health through sport

Adolescence is a critical stage for building such habits. The Championship in Cairo will feature interactive health education activities, with a focus on preventing noncommunicable diseases and fostering healthy behaviours. The activities are designed to help ensure young athletes not only excel on the pitch but adopt habits that support lifelong well-being.

“This tournament is far more than a football competition. It serves as a vital platform for identifying promising talents, nurturing the skills of both boys and girls, and reinforcing the fundamental values that define sport. Chief among these values are respect, discipline, team spirit and the commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all,” said Dr Hany Abou Rida, President of the North African Union of Football.

During the Championship, in which 120 players and 30 adults are taking part, WHO engaged the players, in a range of health topics, including:

• providing young athletes and spectators with information on nutrition, hydration and balanced diets, and promoting nutritious food choices – eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and reducing sugary and processed foods;
• regular physical activity – staying active beyond football training to maintain overall fitness;
• hydration and rest – drinking water instead of sugary drinks and getting enough sleep for recovery;
• mental well-being – talks will cover resilience, stress management and positive social interaction; and
• injury prevention and self-protection.

This collaboration between WHO and CAF reflects their shared commitment to integrating health awareness into youth development programmes.

The activities being organized alongside the football competition aim to make health education practical – and fun – for participants and spectators alike.