Key Takeaways
- PFF launches FIFA Football for Schools program in 3,000 public schools.
- Program aims to reach three million students and identify young talent.
- FIFA, PM’s Youth Programme, and UNESCO collaborate on initiative.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has launched the FIFA Football for Schools program in 3,000 public schools across the country, targeting three million students. This initiative is part of a broader grassroots development strategy and is backed by FIFA in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and UNESCO.
Under the program, 162,000 footballs will be distributed among participating schools. More than 50 master trainers have completed specialized training under FIFA instructors, with Antonio Buenano Sanchez, FIFA’s Senior Football for Schools Manager, leading the training.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani emphasized the importance of grassroots development, stating that the program will help identify talented young players from across the country. The initiative will initially focus on public schools, with criteria set by FIFA for school and teacher selection.
Educators will have access to the Football for Schools app in Urdu, and District and Regional Football Associations will connect participating schools with the wider football structure. The program’s cascading training model aims to create a network of around 450 trainers.
Adeel Rizki, PFF Technical Director, announced that more schools and districts will be added gradually as the program expands. He also mentioned that the FIFA Talent Development Scheme is scheduled to launch in January 2027, providing a structured pathway for identifying and developing age-group talent.
The program aims to strengthen Pakistan’s grassroots football structure while creating a pathway for identifying and developing young talent. Syeda Amna Batool, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme focal person, called for meaningful opportunities for girls, emphasizing inclusion in the initiative.
With football infrastructure remaining a major challenge in Pakistan, the program will initially focus on public schools. The initiative will help address this gap by providing resources and training to teachers and students, fostering a love for the sport among the youth.
