Wow, what a week. Since we only had 8 days in Kiribati, we and our partner from the Kiribati Islands Football Federation (KIFF) tried to put as much program into those days as possible. We are just now processing everything we experienced, the beautiful places we saw, the amazing people we met, but also hearing about the struggles the country is facing, especially regarding climate change.
This was our schedule in Kiribati:
Thursday June 22nd:
- Arrival The Ball in Tarawa, KIFF Executives to meet the delegation at the Airport and The Ball is signed by the KIFF President & Patron at the Airport.
- Traditional welcome at Eita Village, facilitated by Teinainano Urban Council (TUC) & South Tarawa Football Association (STFA), visit to TUC Council & meet Mayor, Councillors, Clerk & Staff
- Courtesy call to Government – HMWYSSA & Secretary, Chairman & Board members of the Kiribati Ports Authority
Friday June 23rd:
- SoF & KIFF Delegation observe the Police Day ceremony at Takoronga
- The Ball meets Betio Town Council and Betio Island Football Association (BIFA), introduction of The Ball and signing at the Council Office
- Visits of Climate Change affected sites
- The Ball meets TUC & STFA, Cultural show, Demonstration & Entertainment and Signing of The Ball, Tenimaraoi Maneaba
Saturday June 24th:
- Workshop on fair play, sustainability and gender equality with FC & the community, at YCL Conference Center, Antebuka, Tarawa. Participants – Women, Girls, NGOs, FC and communities
- Official welcome ceremony of The Ball, delegation, and the Signing of The Ball
Sunday, June 25th:
- Travel to North Tarawa in the afternoon
Monday June, 26th:
- Visit to the Eutan Tarawa Council & North Tarawa Football Clubs Association (NTFCA) – Introduction of The Ball and signing.
- Workshop with North Tarawa Football Clubs Association on fair play, sustainability and gender equality, with women, girls, NGOs and FC
Tuesday, June 27th:
- Return to South Tarawa early morning
- Workshops continue with STFA & BIFA – Workshop on fair play, sustainability and gender equality with FC & the community, at BTC Board room, Tarawa, with women, girls and indigenous people.
Wednesday, June 28th:
- Focal group discussion on climate action and gender equality, with the German Special Envoy to the Pacific Islands, Beate Grzeski, the Hon. Taabeta Teakai, (only female) Minister in Kiribati, Minister for Employment and Human Resources, other female leaders from Kiribati and representatives from the New Zealand and Australian High Commission
- The Ball signing with about 300 kids from the Kiribati Just Play committee.
- Final reflection with KIFF
Thursday, June 29th:
- The Ball leaves Kiribati for New Zealand and Australia.