PLAY it DREAM it Boot-Camp

On June 22, 2025, FAME Foundation, in partnership with Laureus Sport for Good, hosted the June edition of the PLAY it DREAM it Boot-Camp at the Area 3 Football Pitch in Garki, Abuja. This special event welcomed over 70 children from the Kuchingoro Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, offering them a safe and supportive space to engage in sports, learn life skills, and simply enjoy being kids.

The boot-camp was designed to promote confidence, teamwork, and positive behavior through play. Through a mix of games, mentorship, and hands-on sessions, the children experienced a day filled with laughter, learning, and inspiration.

The sports segment was led by Coach Sunday Dogara, who guided the children through a structured session focused on boosting physical fitness and encouraging collaboration. The activities kicked off with light warm-up exercises and gradually moved into more interactive group drills. From football played in gender-specific teams to fun ball-passing challenges and skip rope contests, each game was thoughtfully designed to build focus, patience, teamwork, and resilience.

But the lessons didn’t stop on the field. As they played, the children also developed essential life skills like discipline, active listening, and perseverance values that extend beyond sports into school, friendships, and personal growth.

A key highlight of the day was an educational session on “Knowing Your Rights”, facilitated by Ms. Simbiat Amzat. Her session aimed to empower the children with a better understanding of their basic rights, including the right to a name and identity, education, safety, and protection. She also emphasized the importance of balancing rights with responsibilities, encouraging the children to practice kindness, respect, and obedience in their everyday lives.

The session was highly interactive, with children eagerly participating in discussions, asking and answering questions. This open exchange fostered a lively learning atmosphere, helped sharpen their communication skills, and reinforced the power of learning from one another.

By the end of the boot-camp, the children left not only with smiles on their faces, but with valuable knowledge, stronger confidence, and a deeper understanding of their rights and responsibilities. It was a day that combined fun and purpose, demonstrating once again how sport can be a powerful tool for education, empowerment, and personal development.