The Ministry of School has cooperated with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to support the 'Football for Schools' (F4S) programme in an effort to promote football among both boys and girls through the school system. The Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA) is leading this ambitious attempt to develop a nationwide train-the-trainer programme.
The Ministry of Education's Department of School Education and Literacy is collaborating with the AIFF and SAI to implement this program nationwide. Three training programs were held in Sambalpur, Pune, and Bengaluru as part of this project, teaching about 300 coach educators from diverse locations, including different states, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Navodaya Vidyalayas.
As part of F4S, FIFA organized a two-day capacity-building master training event in Sambalpur, Odisha, on October 2, 2023. This program drew 95 physical education teachers/trainees from various states, union territories, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and AIFF.
On October 5 and 6, the other two training programs were held in Pune and Bengaluru. These teachers/trainees will now serve as state master trainers, expanding their expertise in football instruction.
To formalize the F4S initiative, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on October 30, 2022, in the presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
