Cafu Advocates for Grassroots Football to Empower Young Girls in India
Cafu's Praise for Grassroots Initiatives
On Saturday, Brazilian football icon and two-time FIFA World Cup champion Cafu commended grassroots football programs for their role in fostering social inclusion and empowering young girls in India.
During his visit, Cafu engaged with girls from the Dreaming in Slums Foundation, an NGO that leverages football to impart life skills to underprivileged girls, as part of the Global Impact Forum II - Civilisational Legacy presented by APG Globale.
In a conversation with the media, Cafu emphasized that such initiatives offer children opportunities, respect, and training, contributing to a brighter future. He expressed his happiness and admiration for the foundation, stating, 'This is beneficial for children and promotes social inclusion. It provides them with respect and training, which is essential for their future. I am delighted to be back in India.'
Investment in Football Development
Cafu also highlighted the importance of increased investment in football development within India. He remarked, 'India must invest in football for the future. Next month, they will face Brazil in Kolkata, and I am optimistic about what lies ahead.'
Empowerment Through Sports
As part of the initiative, Cafu participated in a friendly football match with the young girls from the foundation and held a special session discussing the impact of sports on personal growth.
The program aimed to showcase how football can serve as a powerful tool for empowerment, confidence-building, and social inclusion among girls from marginalized communities.
Upcoming Challenges for the Blue Tigers
The Blue Tigers are set to face three international friendlies against higher-ranked teams, starting with Panama on September 26 in Bengaluru, followed by matches against five-time World Cup champions Brazil on October 3 and two-time champions Uruguay on October 6, both in Kolkata.
These matches will offer India valuable experiences against World Cup-level competition, as all three nations participated in the FIFA World Cup earlier this year, according to a statement from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).