In September 2009 Tackle Africa coaches Robbie Wood and Alistair Lyon spent two weeks working with the EMIMA project in Dar es Salaam.

EMIMA (a Swahili acronym for Education, Sport and Physical Activity) is a non-governmental organisation based in Dar Es Salaam that aims to empower Tanzanian youths through sport. EMIMA’s  primary aim is to use sport as a tool for development and youth engagement by conducting community sport based activity programmes that raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, gender equality, sexual health and other similar issues. EMIMA runs sports projects in some of the poorest communities in Dar es Salaam.

This Tackle Africa project was a follow up to Robbie’s initial coaching visit to EMIMA in 2008. On this trip the Tackle Africa coaches trained a core group of 20 EMIMA football coaches and volunteers including two female coaches over two weeks with the first week being a general introduction to football coaching with theory and practical sessions.

In week two EMIMA coaches were trained in use of Tackle Africa’s HIV Awareness Through Football coaching manual and how to use HIV themed football drills and activities as part of structured coaching sessions. The Tackle Africa coaches also trialled several new drills for possible inclusion in the new coaching manual in 2010.

Robbie and Alistair also worked directly with young players at many of the different EMIMA football centres over two weeks and were able to observe, evaluate and feedback to EMIMA coaches regarding their delivery of coaching sessions and Tackle Africa drills aiding the confidence and development of local coaches. The Tackle Africa coaches also brought EMIMA a large amount of football kit donated by various local clubs in the Edinburgh area.

Plans are now underway for an expanded Tackle Africa project in conjunction with EMIMA in 2010.

EMIMA (a Swahili acronym for Education, Sport and Physical Activity) is a non-governmental organization based in Dar Es Salaam that aims to empower youth through sport. EMIMA’s  primary aim is to use sport as a tool for development and youth engagement by conducting sport based activity programs that raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, gender equality, sexual health and other similar issues.

EMIMA’s vision is one of a Tanzanian society in which all youths have the opportunity to enjoy taking part in sport and use that experience to enhance their life skills.

EMIMA currently has a total of 8 centres in some of the poorest communities around Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. These centres provide the venues and equipment for football training and matches, as well as peer education and peer education training for local youth aged 20 and under.

Founded in 2001 with only one centre, EMIMA has now developed and expanded to 8 centres each reaching a range of 150 to 300  girl and boy participants. Since forming EMIMA has had great success in giving youth the opportunity to engage in competitive sport.

Each one of EMIMA’s centres is located in connection with schools allowing for students and residents of the community neighbourhood to become involved with EMIMA centres. Children become involved at the centres by simply showing interest in sport and joining the team. Centre co-ordinators also recruit local children from the neighbourhoods as they notice children who are keen on sport or who may be in need of direction. Any child, male or female, may join any team at the centres.

www.emima.org