FIFA & UNESCO Launch ‘Football for Schools’, NVS Acts As Nodal Body

New Delhi, October 12, 2022: The ‘Football for Schools’ is a programme run by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as well as All India Football Federation (AIFF). The aim of this programme is to contribute to the overall education, development, and empowerment of nearly 700 million children in India.

‘Football for Schools’ – Details and Aims

• The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) will act as the nodal agency for implementing the ‘Football for Schools’ programme on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
• The Football for Schools movement is aligned with the National Education Policy’s (NEP) emphasis and promotion of sports-integrated learning.
• The programme aims to create a culture of sports in India and help in developing the skills of the students.
• The programme is also committed to promoting sports and creating a mass movement for football, especially among school children.
• The programme seeks to make football more accessible to boys and girls around the world by giving space to football activities in the education system.

Note: 

• The launch of this programme is also aligned with the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
• The 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is the 7th edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
• FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is the biennial international women’s youth football championship contested by the under-17 national teams of the member associations of FIFA. 
• It came into force in 2008.

‘Football for Schools’ – Objectives of NVS

• To provide good quality modern education to talented children predominantly from the rural areas without regard to their family’s socio-economic condition.
• To provide facilities for instruction through a common medium, that is, Hindi and English, all over the country.
• To offer a common curriculum to ensure comparability in standards and to facilitate and understand the common and composite heritage of our people.
• To promote national integration and enrich the social content through Navodaya schools.
• To serve as a focal point for improvement in the quality of school education through the training of teachers.
• To establish, develop, maintain and manage hostels for the residence of students of Navodaya schools.

‘Football for Schools’ – UNESCO

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture.
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) helps to establish and secure world heritage sites of cultural and natural importance.
• It also bridges the worldwide digital divide and creates inclusive knowledge societies through the exchange of information and communication.
• UNESCO has also launched several initiatives and global movements, such as ‘Education For All’.

‘Football for Schools’ – AIFF

• The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is the governing body of football in India under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
• It was formed in 1935 and was founded in Darbhanga, Bihar.
• The All India Football Federation (AIFF) sanctions and runs all competitive football tournaments and leagues at national levels.
• It is also responsible for managing the India national football team, as well as the women’s team and the various youth national sides.

Football for Schools – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Football for Schools programme?

This Football for Schools programme is run by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as well as the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

What is the aim of Football for Schools programme?

The aim of the Football for Schools programme is to contribute to the overall education, development and empowerment of nearly 700 million children in India.

Which organisation will act as the nodal body for the implementation of the Football for Schools programme?

The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) will act as the nodal agency for implementing the Football for Schools programme on behalf of the Ministry of Education.