The Football for Schools (F4S) initiative has expanded further with a football distribution programme held at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal. The programme is part of a wider effort by the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and FIFA, to promote football in the school ecosystem and encourage regular sports participation among students.
Distribution in West Bengal
Nearly 1,700 FIFA footballs have been distributed in Dakshin Dinajpur district, covering around 250 schools. Across West Bengal, more than 87,000 footballs are being distributed, benefiting lakhs of students. The initiative is designed to improve access to sports equipment in schools and strengthen grassroots sporting culture.
National Coverage Under F4S
The Football for Schools Programme has now been implemented across 33 States and Union Territories. About 9.80 lakh FIFA footballs are being distributed nationwide, reaching over 1.5 lakh schools. These include PM SHRI Schools, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Eklavya Model Residential Schools. More than 7 lakh footballs are also being distributed across nearly 625 districts through nodal institutions such as Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
Teacher Training and Capacity Building
The programme includes structured capacity-building sessions for Physical Education teachers. These sessions are meant to ensure that football is integrated effectively into daily school activities. The focus is on sustainable use of sports equipment and better organisation of school-level sporting events.
Inclusion and Sporting Development
The initiative places special emphasis on inclusion by encouraging participation of girls and children from rural and aspirational districts. It aims to promote teamwork, sportsmanship and physical fitness among students. By linking football with school education, the programme seeks to build a stronger sporting environment across the country.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026