A FIFA Presidential initiative FIFA 11 for Health program a Football based education programme for children will be launched in Sri Lanka through its member association Football Federation and with the partnership of Government through the ministries of Health, Sports and Education.
Prof Jiri Dvorak the chief Medical Officer of FIFA and Dr Gurucharan Sing ,the Chairman of AFC Medical Committee together with Mr.Manilal Fernando FIFA Executive Committee Member ,President FFSL Hon. Sarath Weerasekera ,Dr.Manil Fernando member FIFA Medical Committee met with the Ministers of Sports Hon.Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Health Hon.Maitriepala Sirisena and Eucation Hon.Bandula Gubawardena at the Parliament complex to discuss the implementation of the project and the ministers extended their fullest corporation and Blessings of the Government to implement the project in Sri Lanka which is the second in Asian region.
Mr.Chrysantha Perera CEO FFSl and Mr.Upali Hewage ,Geneal Secretary FFSL too was at the discussion.
The FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC) has developed a highly effective education tool that improves the knowledge and changes the attitude of children towards the most important diseases in a playful manner
FIFA 11 for health is a highly effective tool to instill basic health discipline in youngsters and build a healthier nation by preventing the most relevant diseases threatening the people’s well being. “The idea of ‘The 11 for Health’ is very easy to understand and its implementation does not need many resources apart from the schools’ play grounds, balls and physical education teachers.
This programme will facilitate the Governments drive to eradicate many descises and build a healthy nation programe. The first course for teachers of 11-18 schools will be conducted later this year by Dr Astrid Junge, head of research, PhD and Prof Colin Fuller, head of the programme implementation. The aim is to reach every school in the country by 2015/2016.
Eleven renowned players have committed themselves to adopt the individual messages. Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is the symbol for fighting the spread of infective diseases by promoting “Wash your Hands”, and his club mate and 4 times World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi contributes to preventing non-communicable diseases by advising “Eat a balanced diet”.
South African female footballer Portia Modise is advocating “Drink Clean Water”, France’s Thierry Henry drives the message “Respect Girls and Women”. Cameroon’s Samuel Eto demonstrates how to “shield” against diseases such as Malaria by using treated bed-nets while Ivorian icon Didier Drogba is for “Shots to save lives” representing vaccination against disease.
“Football is an ideal platform to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease. Prevention is better than cure, no matter what disease we try to prevent. Meanwhile we have gathered evidence that the FIFA 11 for health programme can contribute to the improvement of public health at low cost” has been concluded by Prof Dvorak
In photo- from left – Mr.Manilal Fernando ,FIFA Executive Committee Member , President FFSL Hon. Sarath Weerasekera ,Minister of Sports Hon.Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Prof Jiri Dvorak the chief Medical Officer of FIFA ,Hon.Minister of Education Bandula Gubawardena , Hon.Minister of Health Maitriepala Sirisena and with Dr Gurucharan Sing ,the Chairman of AFC Medical Committee
