Education Ministry and FIFA launch "Football for school" program in India: 25 million children to benefit

New Delhi, Nov 2: On the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2022 that was being held in India, the All India Football Federation, Ministry for Education, and FIFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to broadbase football across various schools in the country through the Football for Schools program. The aim is to empower 25 million young boys and girls in India through sports-integrated learning.

 

 

"Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, on behalf of the Ministry of Education signed an MoU with On behalf of FIFA, President Gianni Infantino and All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the 'Football4Schools' initiative in India on Sunday at Mumbai," the Ministry said in a statement

 

 

Pradhan said that football is an immensely popular sport and the Football4Schools program uses it as a positive tool to inspire children and ensure their holistic development. He further said that 'Football4Schools' aims to empower 25 million young boys and girls in India through sports-integrated learning.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said, "Sports has been given a place of pride in NEP 2020 and the Football4Schools program espouses the spirit of NEP2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid emphasis on mainstreaming of sports with education and the Football4Schools program is a step towards translating PM Modi's vision of making sports as a way of life as well as creating well-rounded citizens."

 

Infantino said before signing the MoU, "I very much believe in India's potential. India is a great nation; it is a continent in itself with lots of skills and not just in football of course. The most important thing is the heart and passion that the country has. We need that in football.

 

Football for Schools is an ambitious program that aims to contribute to the education, development, and empowerment of millions of children worldwide. It seeks to make football more accessible to both boys and girls around the world by incorporating football activities into education, in partnership with relevant authorities and stakeholders.