FIFA has launched a two-day master training program to empower teachers to promote football in schools across India. The program, called Football for Schools (F4S), is an ambitious initiative that aims to revolutionize physical education and foster holistic development in millions of children.
The training program, which was held in Sambalpur, Odisha, on October 2, 2023, was attended by 95 Physical Education Teachers/Trainees from various States/UTs, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), and AIFF. The program equipped these educators with the skills and knowledge to integrate football into their physical education curriculum and make it an integral part of their students’ holistic development.
F4S is a collaboration between FIFA, the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The program was launched in India on October 30, 2022, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education, AIFF, and FIFA.
Under the MoU, the F4S program will provide government schools across India with a significant resource – 11.15 lakh footballs, along with the necessary capacity building. The program aims to empower approximately 700 million children by integrating football into their education.
FIFA has planned two more master training programs in Pune and Bengaluru on the 5th and 6th of October 2023, with approximately 200 participants set to join (100 in each venue). These teachers/trainees will play a pivotal role as master trainers at the state level, further expanding the program’s reach and impact.
F4S recognizes the potential of sports, particularly football, in fostering holistic development. It emphasizes accessibility for both boys and girls, collaborating with relevant authorities and stakeholders to make football an integral part of the education system.