SPORTS: Fundación Xcalibur, MTN Uganda Launches the First Social Sports Academy in Uganda

June 2022, Uganda: Xcalibur Foundation, in collaboration with MTN Uganda, has today launched the MTN Naguru Social Sports Academy at Naguru Katali Primary School, in the middle of the Naguru settlement of Kampala.

The project targets an initial group of 160 beneficiaries, 50% girls and 50% boys aged 5-16, in vulnerable situations.

The goal of the program is to develop key personal and social values that encourage strong emotional, mental, and physical development of the participants, their families, friends, tutors, and communities.

The project, in collaboration with Real Madrid Foundation as Xcalibur Foundation’s strategic partner in Uganda, will be operated by the local NGO Youth Sport Uganda (YSU). The project has been endorsed by the Ugandan government and materialized through collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports.

School teachers and community facilitators have been trained under Real Madrid Foundation’s unique and pioneer education in values methodology: “for a Real Education: Values and Sport,” to run sport and social activities with children and youth.

These activities will enhance the life skills of children and youth, and address issues of wellbeing, child protection, conflict management, gender equality, disability, and inclusion as well as positive child and youth development.

As stated by Real Madrid Foundation’s philosophy, these objectives are focused solely on education and social cooperation, differing to those of Real Madrid Football Club.

It is worth highlighting the role of MTN Uganda within this partnership. Since the beginning of this journey, the telecommunications company has shown endless support, reflecting true passion, solidarity, and commitment towards Xcalibur Foundation’s undertaking to impart lifelong education amongst vulnerable children and youth.

Their enthusiasm to become active players of this project is critical to its positive outcomes and sustainability over time. “Xcalibur Foundation is grateful to MTN for the institution’s support and that of its employees and executives, in realizing this project”, said Javier Lezcano, Executive Director of Xcalibur Foundation.

As part of the 2022-2023 calendars, the project will carry out volunteering programs, internal and external events, and other social responsibility initiatives involving at MTN Uganda employees.

Speaking at the launch in Naguru, MTN Uganda’s CEO, Wim Vanhelleputte said, “This is a unique project that fits with the values of our organization. We are privileged to be able to contribute to the social wellbeing and personal development of vulnerable children and youth.

Supporting an educational cause which uses sport as a tool for development is aligned with our values, goals, and objectives, first as an organization and us the people who work for this company. We hope this partnership with Xcalibur Foundation and Real Madrid Foundation is only the beginning of an exciting journey together”.

For his part, Javier Lezcano, Executive Director of Xcalibur Foundation, noted the early involvement and commitment of MTN Uganda in this project, highlighting the openness and humanity of the entire team: “From the time we set foot at MTN Uganda offices, we felt understood and supported, both my Wim (the Chief Executive Officer) and by the entire team.

We are forever grateful for this partnership and will keep giving our 150% to keep this programme growing. Xcalibur Foundation is a non-profit organization, born in April 2021, to develop social and cooperation projects in those countries where its mother company, Xcalibur Multiphysics, is present. Through their reason to be and educational programmes, Xcalibur Foundation mission is to convey, using sport, training and culture as pedagogical and motivational tools, key personal and social values that encourage strong emotional, mental, and physical development in vulnerable children, youth, and women.