Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – With anticipation building ahead of the kick-off of the CAF African Schools Football Championship Zonal Qualifiers, the spotlight in The Gambia on Tuesday, 25 November, shifted from the pitch to the classroom as the Young Reporters Programme powered ahead as part of CAF’s ongoing Capacity Building initiatives.
The Gambia is staging the first of six CAF Zonal Qualifiers for the 2025/26 edition of the continental schools championship, running from 24–28 November.
While participating teams make their final preparations for the football action, another equally important mission unfolded—investing in the future of Africa’s sports media.
A group of 25 aspiring reporters, presenters, photographers and digital content enthusiasts from across the region gathered for a full-day media development workshop. The session was facilitated by experienced African football journalists and broadcasters under the guidance of CAF’s Communications Department.
The Young Reporters Programme forms a central pillar of CAF’s broader vision to empower young people beyond the boundaries of the playing field. The initiative provides participants with a practical introduction to sports journalism, including news writing, interviewing, live reporting, photography, and digital storytelling.
The programme also emphasises the importance of professionalism, ethical reporting, and understanding the dynamics of modern football media.
Through hands-on exercises, mentorship, and direct engagement with industry experts, the young participants gained valuable insights into what it takes to build a career in sports media. The initiative not only strengthens their technical abilities but also inspires confidence, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the role media plays in shaping football narratives across the continent.
By nurturing emerging voices and creating opportunities for them to tell Africa’s football stories, CAF continues to expand its development footprint—ensuring that the championship’s legacy is felt both on and off the field.
Attention now turns to the pitch as the CAF African Schools Football Championship Zonal Qualifiers officially enters its competitive phase on Wednesday, 26 November.
Boys’ and Girls’ teams in the U-15 division will compete for the WAFU-A regional crown and the coveted qualification spots for next year’s Continental Finals.
As the next generation of footballers prepares to showcase their talent, so too does a new wave of young storytellers – ready to capture and share the moments of Africa’s largest schools football competition.
