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Ammon News - FIFA
Thousands of Syrian refugees are to benefit from a grassroots course organised by FIFA at Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan’s second largest city.

The five-day programme, which is set to finish on Friday 7 June, will enable 28 instructors to apply their knowledge over the coming months within the scope of football festivals and workshops for Syrian children in the refugee camps located in the Irbid region. The course is being run in cooperation with the Jordan Football Association and the HH Prince Ali Grassroots Center.

Through the initiative, instructors will be taught key organisational and technical aspects of grassroots football, thus empowering them to develop a series of tailor-made activities for Syrian youngsters.

The grassroots course in Irbid follows a set of key measures implemented by FIFA to support Syrian refugees. These include the donation of USD 200,000 approved by the Executive Committee in March for the construction of an artificial pitch in the village of Turrah, six kilometres from the Syrian border, and the distribution of 15,000 jerseys among the refugees.

“Grassroots courses are an essential part of our activities in the Middle East,” said FIFA's Director of Member Associations and Development, Thierry Regenass. “While bringing relief to people in need, the programmes give us an excellent opportunity to provide local instructors with the necessary tools in order for them to promote football development in their communities.

“It’s part of our development mission to use the power of football within communities facing complex socio-political situations. Therefore plenty more grassroots activities will take place this year, including a seminar in Somalia, to mention just one example.”

A total of 59 FIFA grassroots courses are set to be implemented by FIFA in over 40 member associations during 2013.