Promoting Children’s Rights: UNICEF, Coton Sport Football Club Enter Deal

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF and Coton Sport Football Club of Garoua, Cameroon on January 30, 2023 signed a Memorandum Of Understanding, MOU to promote the rights of children. The agreement lasts three years, and is renewable. The event in UNICEF Cameroon head office in Bastos, Yaounde was attended amongst others by representatives of the United Nations System in Cameroon. 

Education, Leisure 
“The many accomplishments of Coton Sport are already well known. We did an activity with them in 2020 during World Children’s Day and it was quite successful. We are encouraged by the fact that children in Coton Sport Training Centre have the opportunity to go to school and also play football. Football is a sport that attracts many children,” said UNICEF Cameroon Country Representative, Mrs. Nadine Perrault.  

Opportunity To Sell Children’s Challenges 
“Our part is to promote children’s rights, which is a soft input. The MOU is a platform to raise awareness on the challenges children face and their right to education and leisure. Leisure or having fun is a fundamental right of children. We look forward to the partnership. Before engaging in the MOU, we carried out what we call “due diligence.” Which means, ensuring that Coton Sport as a partner shares UNICEF’s values and is already involved in defending children’s rights,” Perrault disclosed. 

Great Honour To Work With UNICEF
“The partnership is almost win-win because supporting children is an honour for Coton Sport. Supporting disadvantaged children and the youth is our role. We believe it is an opportunity for all children receive Coton Sport’s support. It is a great honour for our players to put on jerseys with UNICEF logo and support UNICEF and children so that we together promote the development of children,” said Sadou Fernand, Coton Sport Football Club Executive President. 

Assisting Children To Develop Talents 
Sadou said the deal was more reason for Coton Sport to work harder and even win the African Champions League for the first time. “The added value of the MOU is for us to assist all children to develop their talents. We are proud to support UNICEF in this regard. It is a great honour for us to work with UNICEF like Barcelona of Spain. We feel so honoured by the agreement,” he insisted.   

Due Process Strictly Followed   
Nadine Perrault emphasised the importance of leisure in the optimal development of children. She said sports enhances social progress and knows no borders. &ldq...