Right To Play has a programme for 6.000 youngsters in Addis Ababa coached by close to 230 coaches/trainers engaging the youth in all sports activities with an emphasis on football. To participate in the sports activities of Right To Play all participants has to undergo it's discussion programmes ranging from lessons related to HIV/Aids, gender, environment and other relevant topics. Right To Play works closely with local communities (kebelles) and through local NGOs using sports activities to access the youth; see: www.righttoplay.com
Right To Play-Ethiopia, run by a staff of 11 Ethiopians - through it's wide range of activities - has established an Orphanage League for HIV-infected children, kicking off the League last year at the National Stadium, giving the kids a unique opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of football.
On visiting Right To Play activities in the Kirkos-area of Addis Ababa last Saturday H.E. Ambassador Jens-Petter Kjemprud watched a football match between a girls and a boys team drawn 2-2, enabling him to see some very obvious talent among both sexes. A brilliant header from the star among the boys team late in the game salvaged the pride and a draw for the boys against a resilient girls team with some outstanding individuals among them a brilliant goalkeeper.
Already three young girls graduating through the ranks of Right To Play has made their way into the Ethiopian National Team, recently beating Angola in the African Championship.
Right to Play has upgraded numerous small football fields in Addis Ababa; the small pitch in Kirkos was plagued by a dusty sand and in need of more proper soil. Land for proper soccer pitches is obviously scarce in Addis Ababa.
Right To Play now tries, as their next big ambition, to convince the Addis Ababa school authorities to develop a manual for proper training of school kids hoping to introduce this as from 2009 in the schools curriculum , Country manager Hailu Yilma told the Embassy.