- FIFPRO South America launched Retomá Tus Estudios (Resume Your Studies) at Paraguayan Football Association’s headquarters in Asuncion
- The launch is part of a broader education campaign established by the division last year
- The division aims to implement a regional schooling programme to ensure men’s and women’s footballers can complete their high school studies
FIFPRO South America President Sergio Marchi, General Secretary Gamadiel Garcia, and Director of Education Pablo Burtovoy were this week in Asunion, Paraguay to launch Retomá Tus Estudios (Resume Your Studies).
Part of FIFPRO South America’s broader education campaign, Retomá Tus Estudios represents a crucial step towards strengthening education in Paraguay and encourages the country’s players to complete their studies and prepare for life after football.
Marchi, Garcia and Burtovoy were joined at the Paraguayan Football Association’s headquarters by the nation’s Minister of Education and Sciences Luis Fernando Ramirez, Conmebol General Secretary Nery Pumpido, OEI Paraguay Director German Garcia da Rosa, Paraguayan FA General Secretary Luis Kanonnikoff, Paraguayan FA Sporting Director Justo Villar, and Futbolistas Asociados Del Paraguay President Paulo Da Silva.
"This is a project for everyone," said Marchi. "Education is a tool for life and this is a way in which football contributes to society. This is an invitation to all sectors."
Speaking of the cooperation to promote education in Paraguay, Ramierz said: "Thank you for daring to take this step, which aims to develop people through study. Beyond kicking a ball, it is about helping young people make use of the educational power of football."
Professional footballers in South America have access to a wide range of study programmes through the division, including university diplomas in sports management, sports consultancy and sports coaching, language courses (English, Italian and Portuguese), as well as scholarships to take courses certified by Conmebol and webinars on various topics offered by the Cruyff Institute, with a wide range of subject areas.
"All the options we provide for players are free of charge," Burtovoy told FIFPRO.org in May. "We work to ensure that the training courses are funded and that footballers can benefit from them."
Several current and former men’s and women’s footballers took part in a promotional video that was shown in Paraguay, including Oscar Romero, Nelson Haedo Valdez, Leticia Caceres, Antolin Alcaraz, Adam Bareiro, Lucas Barrios, Justo Villar, Jesica Franco, Bruno Valdez, Sol Mora, Yenia Cabanas, Rocia Medina, Diego Churin, Evelyn Garay, Rosy Medina, Angel Romero, Matias Rojas, Matias Galarza and Johana Ortega.
Kanonnikoff said: “Strengthening Paraguayan education by taking professional players as an inspiration represents a tool that can become a key ally in the training of our athletes.”
