14th edition of the Dominique Ouattara Cup: 70 towns across the country to host the Children Of Africa Foundation tournament

Launched in 2008 in the commune of Abobo, the Children Of Africa Foundation Football Tournament, with its Dominique Ouattara Cup, is now in its 14th year. The tournament is for children aged 7 to 15 and the 2023 edition  will take place in 70 localities across the country.

For this 14th edition, in each locality, the winning teams will receive a “Dominique Ouattara” trophy,  200,000 FCFA, as well as a complete set of jerseys and balls. All finalists will also receive gifts. A total of more than 28 million F CFA has been disbursed for the organization of this tournament in the 70 selected localities.

The launch ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Children Of Africa Foundation in Cocody, rue Booker Washington. It witnessed the presence of Mrs Anne Désirée Ouloto, Minister of Public Service and Administration, representing Mr Danho Paulin Claude, Minister of Sports, and several other personalities, as well as mayors and representatives of the localities hosting this 14th edition.

Also in attendance were national soccer legends Traoré Abdoulaye a.k.a Ben Badi, Kalou Bonaventure, Gouaméné Alain, Badra Aliou, Arouna Dindané and Franck Kessié.

As the year 2023 has been declared the year of youth, Ms Dominique Ouattara, President of the Children Of Africa Foundation, has decided to extend this sporting competition to 70 localities in the country with the aim of getting as many children as possible to take part in this soccer tournament. “As 2023 has been decreed the Year of Youth by my dear husband, President Alassane Ouattara, we have decided to extend this activity to a greater number of localities and get as many children as possible involved in this competition. That’s why this year, the event will be held in 70 localities across Côte d’Ivoire, instead of 50,” said Ms Dominique Ouattara.  In addition, the wife of the Head of State revealed the benefits of practicing sport for toddlers. For Ms Dominique Ouattara, participation in this sporting competition will enable children to develop and cultivate values such as team spirit, cohesion, collective effort and surpassing oneself.

Soccer tournaments are exceptional occasions for mobilizing the population. “As soccer is one of the most popular sports in our country, the Children Of Africa Foundation tournament is a great success with both organizers and participants. It’s also an opportunity to bring communities together around a healthy, convivial and festive activity. So, as every year, I hope that this competition will take place in good conditions and in the spirit of fair play that we recommend”, stated Ms Dominique Ouattara.

Ms Anne Désirée Ouloto, representing the Minister of Sports, translated Claude Danho Paulin’s words of thanks. For her, the Children Of Africa Foundation’s soccer tournament is a major event which, for several years now, has been mobilizing children in their respective localities.  On behalf of the Minister of Sports, Ms Anne Désirée Ouloto, invited the children to seize the opportunity of this sporting competition to spend a healthy school vacation.

Mr. Malick Tohé, Vice-President of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF)n, also thanked Mrs. Dominique Ouattara for her commitment to the education of children through sport. He urged the children to seize the opportunity to appropriate the values generated by this sporting competition.

Mr. Bayala Hyppolite, Mayor of the commune of Taï, also spoke of the virtues of sport and competition. He concluded by expressing his satisfaction to see the support that the Presidential couple is giving to young people.

Young Ouattara Abdoulaye, 15 years old and a midfielder with the “Amitié d’Adjamé” soccer club, delivered the recipient’s speech. Like the other personalities after him, he thanked the President of the Children Of Africa Foundation for giving them the chance to spend a healthy school vacation thanks to this soccer tournament.

It is important to note that the tournament starts in the next few days and will finish before the start of the new school year.