Why in news?
On 28 February 2026 the Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region presided over a football distribution programme at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya in Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal. This event marked the successful implementation of the Football for Schools (F4S) programme across 33 States and Union Territories.
Background
The Football for Schools programme is a joint initiative of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and UNESCO, launched in 2019. It aims to use football to support education, health and youth empowerment worldwide. In India, the programme is implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy with support from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Objectives
- Educational empowerment: Incorporate football activities into the education system to develop life skills, teamwork, discipline and leadership among children.
- Widen access: Make football more accessible to both girls and boys, especially in rural and aspirational districts.
- Alignment with global goals: Contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNESCO’s Kazan Action Plan, the Education 2030 Incheon Declaration and the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA).
Recent achievements
- Approximately 9.8 lakh footballs are being distributed nationwide through nodal institutions such as Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
- Structured capacity‑building programmes for physical education teachers ensure the sustainable integration of football into school activities.
- The programme emphasises inclusion by encouraging the participation of girls and students from rural and marginalised communities.
Significance
- Holistic development: Regular football activities develop physical fitness, coordination and social skills, complementing academic learning.
- Promoting equality: By actively involving girls and children from underserved areas, F4S promotes gender equality and social inclusion.
- Nationwide reach: Covering nearly all states and union territories demonstrates strong coordination between central ministries, state governments, FIFA and UNESCO.
Source: Press Information Bureau