FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said that the world football governing body will closely work with the Government of Rwanda to implement its new football development project in schools.

Infantino said this at the end of the 8th FIFA Council Meeting in Kigali on Friday.

This is a theory-based programme designed to celebrate and promote football in youth.

FIFA will be joining forces with a host of parties to develop and rehabilitate sports fields and promote life skills through the sport of football.

The project seeks to enrich the lives of a vast number of children in Rwanda and across the continent.

He noted that governments and CAF will be aiding the youths from grassroots level by introducing football and other sporting competitions in schools.

"We are thrilled by this cooperation which is a good example of how FIFA member associations and government institutions can join forces to contribute to football development in a specific country,” said Infantino.

"Football open hearts and motivate young people – than anything else – to take part in activities that relate to personal and social development,” Infantino added.

He emphasised that it will also help children in school to do well academically.

FIFA will pump $100m in the project globally, of which $9m will go into purchasing balls to donate to schools.

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