Football for Schools Programme: Ministry, FIFA, AIFF Sign MoU

Vinod Kakumanu
Nov. 21, 2022, 9:51 a.m.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF), Union Education Ministry, and FIFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai to introduce and popularize football across schools in the country through Football for Schools Programme.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino elaborated on the values that FIFA is seeking to propagate through Football for Schools. He said that Football for Schools is not just about teaching football to children, but also about giving life lessons through the values of football – like respect for opponents, referees, teammates, and about teamwork and resilience. Besides these, other values like non-discrimination, gender equality and self-belief, are all useful in football as well as in life.

The FIFA President also highlighted India’s potential as a great nation, having people with lots of skills, and the heart and passion that the country shows, which is needed in the game of football also.

During the MoU signing ceremony, the Union Education Minister also expressed delight that India is playing a major role in helping FIFA reach its global targets for the Football for Schools project, and that GoI (Government of India) is collaborating in such global programmes. Out of the 700 Million children that the programme targets to reach worldwide, India is taking responsibility for 25 Million children.

Besides the FIFA President and the Union Education Minister, also present at the ceremony were the Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, the Minister for School Education, Government of Maharashtra, AIFF Chief and Secretary General, and the FIFA Director for Football for Schools.