Massive Statewide Rollout of Footballs
Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the Football for Schools (F4S) distribution programme at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Fort William, in Kolkata. The initiative, launched in partnership with FIFA and AIFF, aims to distribute over 88,000 footballs across West Bengal.
Simultaneous events were held at 21 Kendriya Vidyalayas across all districts of the state. In Kolkata district alone, 2,487 footballs were distributed to 349 schools.
Shri Pradhan noted that this initiative will benefit nearly 15–16 lakh students across West Bengal. Nationwide, the government aims to distribute nearly 10 lakh footballs to schools. This drive is in line with the broader goal of building a sporting culture from the school level.
During the event, the Minister also inaugurated an exhibition football match between two school teams, symbolizing the energetic kickoff of the F4S initiative in the region.
NEP 2020: Sports as Core to Education
Minister of State Dr. Sukanta Majumdar emphasized that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 sees sports as essential to holistic education. He highlighted the need for flexibility and integration of academics and physical development in the school ecosystem.
He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister Pradhan for making sports a national priority within the education system.
Shaping Future Football Talent
Minister of State Shri Shantanu Thakur stressed the long-term goal of preparing children for international-level football. He noted that early exposure through initiatives like F4S will help in talent discovery and development across India.
“This programme rekindles children’s love for the game,” he said. “It provides structure and motivation at the grassroots level.”
Global Backing from FIFA
Under the F4S initiative, FIFA has committed 9.6 lakh footballs to India, as part of its global grassroots mission that spans 129 countries (as of January 2025).
In India, the programme is being implemented by the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), with support from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Building Healthy Futures Through Sports
Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of DoSEL, expressed gratitude for the collaboration. He emphasized that this initiative aligns perfectly with NEP 2020 by nurturing physical fitness, teamwork, and mental resilience in students.
“A healthy body nurtures a healthy mind,” he said. “The Football for Schools initiative is a step toward achieving that balance.”