FIFA 11 FOR HEALTH
The FIFA 11 for Health program is an education program for children aged 9-13 years that combines football practice and health messages. It was firstly launched in 2009 as part of FIFA’s medical legacy to Africa on the occasion of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This program is a collaborative endeavor between FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), the world governing body for soccer, and various international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. This initiative leverages the universal appeal of soccer to educate and empower children on key health issues while simultaneously promoting physical activity. Initially introduced in Africa, the program expanded to Brazil, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, and China, demonstrating positive impacts on children’s health knowledge and fitness.
11 for Health in Denmark
In 2014-2015, the ‘11 for Health’ program was adapted to Western countries under the leadership of Professor Peter Krustrup. In 2017-2021 this program was implemented nationwide in Denmark and tested in a collaboration between the University of Southern Denmark and the Danish FA (DBU).
Research findings show that the “11 for Health” program gives children a better health profile, physical fitness, well-being and greater health awareness through football training. Intense and effective training is also a fun and effective way of communicating health messages” says Professor Peter Krustrup from SDU’s Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics.
A GLOBAL-SCALE PROGRAM
11 for Health in Africa
The program’s effectiveness and impact were assessed through research studies conducted in South Africa, Mauritius and Zimbabwe. Later on, it has also been launched in Sub-Saharan African countries (Sierra Leone, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia).
Research findings indicate that the “11 for Health” program has significantly enhanced health knowledge among children in Africa. The project has also received high satisfaction ratings from the participating children. Furthermore, the program can be effectively implemented in both school-based and out-of-school settings in cooperation with government and non-government organisations.
11 for Health in Brazil
The FIFA 11 for Health program was implemented nationwide in Brazil, with a cohort study among 3694 Brazilian children aged 9-12 years within 128 elementary schools situated in 12 cities in the five Regions of Brazil. The program was successful, with a mean increase in health knowledge of 18.4% and 91% of the children gave a positive evaluation for the program.
11 for Health in Oceania
Solomon Islands is the first Oceania country to be considered for the 11 for Health program, which was launched in 2012 with the support of the government and the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF). The program aims to reach 18 schools and thousands of children in the country. Later, this program was introduced in Papua New Guinea in 2016 to improve children’s knowledge, attitudes and behavior with regard to disease and lifestyle. The instructional course was rolled out in 16 primary schools, with the first certificates to be presented during the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in November.
11 for Health in Asia
The FIFA 11 for Health program has also been carried out in Myanmar in 2012 to increase children’s knowledge about communicable and non-communicable diseases and promote healthier lifestyles. With the support of the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) and the government, it has reached over 10,000 children in 327 schools. Starting in 2020, two public schools in Shanghai, China, participated in a pilot of the FIFA 11 for Health program. According to research results, the ‘11 for Health’ program had positive effects on the cardiovascular and muscular fitness of 9-11-year-old Chinese school children.