Inclusion course brings people together in Mali

In July 2009, 90 Malian coaches shared football and social education learning, working together to overcome problems such as HIV and AIDS, and discrimination of disabled people and women. 45 new coaches from our partner organisations joined 25 returning coaches moving up to level two and three of the curriculum, and 20 coaches focusing on the inclusion of young disabled footballers.

UK coaches from Brighton & Hove Albion FC and the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation supported the senior Malian coaches in their delivery.

Our senior coaches also ran a daily 30-minute football tournament to inspire people and create a healthy competitive atmosphere. The final was played out between ‘Nieta’ (the Bamanan word for ‘progress’) and the inclusion group. This surprised some onlookers, as the inclusion group had many disabled footballers who competed against able-bodied and experienced footballers. However, as Nikki Richardson of Brighton & Hove Albion FC said:

“This puts paid to any notion that people living with disabilities are somehow inferior. Teams underestimated them in this tournament, and paid the price. The inclusion group are in the final because simply put: they were the best team. It’s about working with what you can do here, and not what you can’t. Have you seen the guys that can’t walk here? They are truly amazing at football!”