Khartoum, August 9, 2026 (SUNA) — National Education Minister Dr. Al-Tohami Al-Zain Hajar said the fourth African Schools Football Championship provides a platform for identifying promising student talent and developing youth teams that can eventually form national squads capable of representing Sudan internationally. Speaking at the opening ceremony on Sunday at Al-Usra (Family) Club in Khartoum, Hajar said the championship brings together school teams from several Sudanese states in the 11–14 age group. He said the tournament caps a series of competitions launched in April, progressing through class, administrative unit, locality, state and sector-level contests, which helped identify outstanding young football talent. The minister emphasized that the championship goes beyond sport, describing it as an educational and social initiative that promotes interaction and cooperation among students, develops life skills, and strengthens values as well as health and environmental awareness. He said the resumption of school and sports activities in Khartoum represents both a sign of the state’s recovery and the return of school competitions after their suspension due to the war, demonstrating that life continues and Sudan’s young people remain capable of shaping the country’s future. Khartoum State Wali Ahmed Othman Hamza welcomed the participating teams and delegations from the states, praising the Ministry of National Education and the General Administration of School Activities for organizing the championship and wishing the teams success.BH/BH