The Union ministry of education, in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), has distributed 6,848 footballs in 1,260 schools of Odisha under Football for Schools (F4S) programme.

Football for Schools (F4S) programme

• Football for Schools (F4S) is an ambitious programme run by FIFA, in collaboration with UNESCO, which aims to contribute to the education, development and empowerment of around 700 million children across the globe. 

• It seeks to make football more accessible to both boys and girls around the world by incorporating football activities into the education system, in partnership with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

• Around 1.5 million footballs have been distributed since it was first launched in Puerto Rico in 2019. The programme is being implemented in over 100 countries.

• The programme has been designed to promote targeted life skills and competencies through football and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other priorities.

• In India, more than 11 lakh footballs are to be distributed in 1.50 lakh schools in a phased manner.

• By fostering partnerships at different levels, the programme wishes to instil a sense of enthusiasm for the sport, laying the foundation for a lasting sports culture that goes beyond individual schools.

• An MoU was signed between the ministry of education, AIFF and FIFA on October 30, 2022.

• This programme entails empowering the government schools with students, teachers, and coaches across the country by resourcing them with 11.15 lakh footballs and their capacity building. 

• These balls will be distributed amongst schools pan India.

• The Department of School Education & Literacy is supported by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) in the implementation of this programme in the country. 

• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya is the Nodal organisation for the F4S programme.

• In the first phase, a total of 16 districts from five states — Odisha, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Kerala — have been selected for distribution.

What is FIFA?

• Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) exists to govern football and to develop the game around the world. 

• FIFA was founded in Paris on May 21, 1904, with a view to organising the world’s most popular sport. The foundation act was signed by representatives from France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

• With 211 affiliated associations, FIFA supports them financially and logistically through various programmes. As representatives of FIFA in their countries, they have obligations to respect the statutes, aims and ideals of football's governing body and promote and manage our sport accordingly.

• The FIFA Council is the main decision making body of the organisation in the intervals of FIFA Congress.

• The final composition of the FIFA Council will consist of 37 members: one president, elected by the FIFA Congress; eight vice presidents, and 28 other members elected by the member associations – each for a term of four years. 

• A minimum of one female representative must be elected per confederation. 

• The president and the members of the Council may serve for no more than three terms of office (whether consecutive or not).

All India Football Federation (AIFF)

• The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is the recognised national sports federation for football.

• The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was formed in 1937, when representatives of football associations of six regions met at the Army headquarters, Simla. The six regions which attended the historic meeting were Indian Football Association (IFA), Army Sports Control Board (ASCB), United Provinces, Bihar, North West India Football Association and Delhi.

• AIFF is a member of FIFA, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Indian Olympic Association. Accordingly, it is self obliged to respect the statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA & AFC and to ensure that these are likewise respected by its Members.

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