Pakistan has officially launched the FIFA Football for Schools programme, an initiative aimed at promoting football among young students and strengthening grassroots talent development across the country.
The programme, being implemented by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) with support from FIFA, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and UNESCO, will initially be introduced in 3,000 public schools, reaching an estimated three million students.
As part of the initiative, around 162,000 footballs will be distributed to participating schools to encourage organised football activities and wider participation among children.
The programme also includes a comprehensive teacher training component. More than 50 master trainers have already completed training under FIFA instructors led by Antonio Buenano Sanchez, FIFA’s Senior Football for Schools Manager. These trainers will subsequently train educators in their respective districts, with the number of certified trainers expected to rise to around 450 nationwide.
Teachers participating in the programme will also have access to a dedicated mobile application available in Urdu, enabling them to organise football sessions and training activities more effectively.
According to the PFF, public schools will be given priority during the initial phase, as sports infrastructure remains limited in many areas. Schools and teachers will be selected in line with FIFA guidelines, while partner organisations and district football associations will assist in implementation and help integrate school-level football into the broader development system.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani said grassroots development was a key objective of the programme and would help identify promising young talent at an early stage.
The initiative also places emphasis on inclusion, particularly by creating greater opportunities for girls to participate in football and other sporting activities.
Officials said the programme would gradually expand to more schools and districts, helping establish a stronger pathway for football development in Pakistan.
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