São Tomé and Príncipe aid under way

UEFA has sent an initial consignment of football, medical and office equipment to the national football association in the West African islands of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Direct UEFA aid
The equipment has been delivered as part of UEFA’s direct football aid within the Meridian Project involving European football’s governing body and its African counterpart CAF.

Two-year programme
Sao Tome and Principe, a nation of two islands situated west of Gabon in the Gulf of Guinea, is one of two African national associations currently receiving direct support from UEFA for a two-year period.

February visit to Cape Verde
Cape Verde – a group of islands and islets located in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa – is the other association recently chosen to receive UEFA’s assistance. A first visit to Cape Verde is scheduled to take place at the end of February to make contact, as well as to analyse the situation and discuss various projects.

Playing kit
The football material sent to São Tomé and Príncipe consists of playing kit for 67 teams of 16 players (14 players and two goalkeepers), as well as 14 footballs for each team.

Referee and medical equipment
The association has also received refereeing equipment, such as kits, yellow and red cards and electronic boards, which was offered by UEFA’s refereeing unit. Medical equipment sent to São Tomé and Príncipe includes more than a dozen full first-aid kits.

Purchase of two vehicles
The next phase of UEFA’s aid to São Tomé and Príncipe will involve the purchase of two vehicles, which will help the association’s transport requirements on each of the two islands.

New association HQ
Plans to purchase new association headquarters are also in the pipeline. UEFA officials have visited several premises on the island of São Tomé, and offers are currently being discussed.

Authorities’ support
UEFA has been informed that the political authorities in São Tomé and Príncipe, which has a population of some 165,000, will give maximum support in facilitating the assistance procedure.

Tax and import procedures
“The State Secretary for Sports, Mr João Manuel Da Costa Alegre Alfonso, has assured us that he will do his utmost to ensure that tax and import procedures are dealt with as smoothly as possible,” said UEFA Meridian Project manager Mohamed Taa.