CAF Girls U17 Integrated Football Tournament (“GIFT”) to kick-off in CECAFA region in January aimed at developing women’s football in Africa

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) is to organise the inaugural CAF U17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT), a pioneering pilot initiative to promote the development of women’s football across Africa.  The historic event will take place at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and brings together eight teams from CECAFA Member Associations (MAs) from 7-18 January 2025. The tournament provides a platform to showcase young female footballers, build player capacity and promote women’s football at regional and continental levels.  The competition is part of CAF’s strategy to promote gender equality and empower the next generation of female footballers. CAF has set out to increase participation of girls in football across the continent, encourage MAs and clubs to invest in girls' football clubs, leagues and Under-17 women's national teams, and provide a pathway for girls to transition from schools football to competitive football structures.