On April 20, 2025, FAME Foundation, in partnership with Laureus Sport for Good, organised its April Boot-Camp under the PLAY it DREAM it initiative at the Area 3 Football Pitch in Garki, Abuja. The event brought together over 60 children from the Durumi IDP camp, providing them with an opportunity to engage in various sports activities aimed at fostering their personal growth, discipline, and development.

The first session of the boot camp was led by Coach Adeyemi Taophic Akinwale, who guided the participants through a well-structured sports session designed to improve their physical fitness, teamwork, and self-discipline. The session began with light warm-up exercises that included stretching and light jogging, ensuring the children were prepared physically and mentally for the activities that followed. Coach Akinwale emphasized the significance of proper warm-ups as a foundation for preventing injuries during physical activities.

Following the warm-up, the children participated in a series of group activities aimed at improving cooperation, focus, and self-control. One of the key elements of the session was the relay races, which not only tested the children’s speed and agility but also required them to work together as a team. Teamwork was emphasized as children took turns running relays, learning how to depend on each other to achieve a common goal. The activities also included precision ball passing exercises, where participants worked on their hand-eye coordination, accuracy, and communication with teammates.

In addition to these activities, the children participated in fun dice games that incorporated teamwork and decision-making skills. Through these games, the participants were encouraged to think critically and communicate effectively to reach their goals. Throughout the session, Coach Akinwale emphasized the importance of discipline in sports, particularly in following instructions and maintaining focus even when challenges arose. He explained how these skills such as patience, persistence, and the ability to focus could be transferred to other aspects of their lives, such as their education, personal relationships, and future endeavors.

The physical exercises and teamwork-focused activities were not only a fun and engaging way to keep the children active, but they also served as important life lessons in resilience, communication, and cooperation.

The second session was led by Play it Dream it Coach Rapheal Omale, who focused on providing the children with critical knowledge about personal information and safety awareness. The session was designed to help the children understand the importance of knowing their full name, their parents’ names, home address, phone numbers, and emergency contacts. Coach Omale emphasized that knowing this information could be essential in case of emergencies, such as accidents or getting lost. He explained to the children how this basic personal knowledge could help them stay safe in a variety of situations.

In addition to discussing personal information, Coach Omale guided the children through an understanding of their surroundings. He helped them identify safe places and people, teaching them how to recognize who they can trust and where they can go if they need help. He also focused on how to avoid dangerous situations and how to respond appropriately if they ever feel threatened or uncomfortable. Throughout the session, Coach Omale used simple, relatable examples to ensure the children could easily understand and remember the safety principles.

The session included practical activities where the children practiced scenarios in which they might need to use their knowledge of personal information, such as explaining how to ask for help from a trusted adult in an emergency. Coach Omale also taught the children how to protect their personal information, stressing the importance of not sharing sensitive details with strangers, whether online or in person. The children participated in group discussions, where they shared thoughts on safety and discussed situations they may encounter in their daily lives.

By the end of the session, the children gained a deeper understanding of how to protect themselves in different situations, both at home and in public. They left the session with a greater sense of confidence in their ability to navigate the world around them and keep themselves safe. This knowledge was seen as an essential part of their overall development, enabling them to make informed decisions and take responsibility for their well-being.