Togo Launches Fifth Edition of “Santé Foot” Tournament to Promote Health Through Football
Lomé, Togo – The fifth edition of the “Santé Foot” tournament officially kicked off this Saturday in Lomé, bringing together hospital practitioners from across Togo in a unique initiative that promotes health awareness through football.
Organized exclusively for healthcare workers, this year’s competition features 18 teams representing health centers from the Maritime and northern regions of the country. The tournament is sponsored by Togolese professional footballer Serge Akakpo, who lends his support to the cause.
The event combines football matches with important public health activities, including fairground events and blood donation drives conducted in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS), which urgently needs donations during the holiday season. Awareness campaigns on Ebola prevention are also a key focus.
“The aim of the tournament is not only to foster camaraderie among hospital staff but also to raise public awareness about vital health issues,” explained Edouard Katchekpele, president of the Santé Foot organizing committee. “We emphasize the importance of blood donation and educate people about non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses, and asthma. Additionally, we take the opportunity to inform the public on how to prevent Ebola virus transmission.”
The tournament’s opening events began with a popular running caravan through Lomé on August 30th. The football matches will start on September 6th at Lomé Municipal Stadium with a game between BIASSA Clinic, the defending champions, and CHU Campus. The competition is divided into regional zones, each selecting a winner before a grand final determines the overall champion.
The groups for this year’s tournament are as follows:
Pool A
BIASSA Clinic
CHU Campus
CHP Vogan
CHP Kpalimé
Pool B
CHR Lomé Commune
CAMEG
Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital
Pool HEN
CHR Tsévié
National Institute of Hygiene
Bè Hospital
Zone B’ (Northern region – based in Sokodé)
CHR Atakpamé
CHR Sokodé
CHP Sotouboua
CHP Blitta
Zone B’’ (Northern region – based in Kara)
Kara University Hospital
CHR Kara
CHR Mango
CHR Dapaong
The Santé Foot tournament continues to be a vital platform blending sport and health education, contributing positively to Togo’s public health efforts.
