Rabat: The launch of this program, in partnership with Play Makers, a Moroccan institution specializing in education through sports, is part of the national momentum supporting youth promotion and encouraging sports participation, in perfect alignment with the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who places youth and sports development at the heart of strategic priorities.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, this major initiative reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to the sports education of young people. It goes well beyond the athletic dimension, using the universal language of football to transmit essential skills and fundamental values to young Moroccan generations.

Speaking on this occasion, the President of the Real Madrid Foundation, Julio Gonzalez Ronco, stated that the program does not aim to train professional players, but rather to prepare active citizens capable of making decisions, cooperating, supporting others, and developing self-confidence.

He added that the Real Madrid Foundation uses sports as an educational lever and a means of instilling principles of respect, teamwork, solidarity, and hope, stressing that the selection of beneficiaries is not based on talent but on the desire to learn, grow, and live harmoniously with others.

For their part, Maroua Jrairi and Hamza Megzari, co-founders of Play Makers, said that the launch of the program in Rabat marks the first step of a broader national vision aimed at extending this model to all youth across the Kingdom, in line with Morocco’s priorities in investing in young people and structured education.

They noted that this initiative goes far beyond a simple football program, offering a true educational environment focused on teaching the values of sport, respect, and participation. They emphasized that participating children benefit from courses that help them develop their personality, strengthen their self-confidence, and acquire a sense of responsibility.

The Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Morocco, Benjamin Ziff, for his part, highlighted the importance of launching the program at the American School of Rabat, noting that the program’s seven values, namely motivation, teamwork, autonomy, health, equality, respect, and self-esteem, ‘are not merely sports principles or academic objectives, but essential life skills that constitute a foundational element for both the Rabat American School and the Real Madrid Foundation.’

He pointed out that this partnership is not limited to sports itself, but is also tied to principles of character development integrated into the school’s educational program, which reflect values that allow young people to flourish and grow as athletes, students, and human beings.

The Educational Football Program (EFP) is an annual initiative of the Real Madrid Foundation that offers a high-quality, values-based training experience, where children and young people learn through real game situations in an inclusive and educational environment.