1000 girls, 1000 dreams – a plan to challenge social norms in Egypt

In 2018 the “1000 Girls 1000 Dreams” project was launched to penetrate regions outside the capital and several centres in Aswan, South of Cairo, were established. The target is to reach 2500 girls in remote areas by the end of 2020.

Last month members of the UK Premier Skills team visited training centres in the southern city of Aswan, Egypt, with Paul Hughes, Premier Skills coach, and the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports.

Meetings took place with various organisations including UNICEF, the Egyptian Football Association and Special Olympics, to discuss new partnerships, explore further outreach to marginalized communities and to foster disability sport development.

In Egypt Premier Skills has been successful in challenging social norms which can prevent women and girls from playing football. Almost 67% of participants so far have been women and girls.

Thanks to Premier Skills, I was able to put together the first integrated team for disabled and non-disabled female players, and we won the bronze medal in the 2018 Special Olympics Unified Cup. It was a dream come true.

Fayza Haidar, Premier Skills Coach Educator, Egypt