Govt to Distribute 10 Lakh Footballs to Schools Nationwide: Pradhan

In a major push to promote football and foster a vibrant sporting culture in schools, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the distribution of approximately 10 lakh footballs across the country. The initiative is part of the ‘Football for Schools’ (F4S) programme.

Pradhan made the announcement on Sunday during a special event at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Fort William in Kolkata, where he flagged off the distribution of FIFA-certified footballs to school children.

“This initiative aims to increase student participation in football and help nurture a strong sporting culture across India,” Pradhan said, emphasizing the importance of integrating sports with education to ensure holistic development.

The Football for Schools programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and FIFA. It aims to make football more accessible to children, especially in rural and under-resourced regions, and to promote teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness from an early age.

By distributing 10 lakh footballs, the government hopes to encourage grassroots-level engagement with the sport and identify young talent who can be nurtured for national and international competitions.

The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of schools and millions of students, further aligning with India’s broader goal of enhancing physical education and sports infrastructure under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.