FIFA’s ‘Football for Schools’ to become a mass movement: Education Minister

Ahead of FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura that the “Football for Schools” movement espouses the spirit of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and promotes sports-integrated learning.

At a joint press conference, after their meeting, Pradhan emphasised that Football for Schools is an ambitious programme run by FIFA, in collaboration with UNESCO. It aims to contribute to the education, development and empowerment of around 700 million children.

In a statement issued by the education ministry, Pradhan said the government will take the ‘Football for Schools’ programme to all 700+ districts in India. “Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti will be the nodal agency on behalf of the ministry of education to take this initiative forward.”

“The Government of India is committed to promoting sports and creating a mass movement for football, especially in school children in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developing India as a sporting superpower as well as ensuring a Fit India. It will boost a culture of sports in India and help in developing the skills of our students,” the minister stated.