Sukanta Majumdar presided over a football distribution programme in West Bengal on February 28, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the nationwide implementation of the Football for Schools initiative.
The event was held at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya in Dakshin Dinajpur district and was organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the All India Football Federation and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
Under the programme, nearly 1,700 FIFA footballs have been distributed across Dakshin Dinajpur district, covering around 250 schools. Across West Bengal, more than 87,000 footballs are being distributed, benefiting lakhs of students in both urban and rural areas.
The Football for Schools Programme has now been successfully implemented across 33 States and Union Territories, achieving full national coverage. As part of the initiative, approximately 9.80 lakh FIFA footballs are being distributed across the country, reaching over 1.5 lakh schools. These include PM SHRI Schools, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
More than 7 lakh footballs are being distributed across nearly 625 districts through designated nodal institutions, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, ensuring structured and streamlined outreach.
Beyond equipment distribution, structured capacity building programmes have been conducted for Physical Education teachers to support the effective and sustainable integration of football into regular school activities. The initiative aims to embed football within the academic ecosystem rather than limit it to one time events.
The programme places strong emphasis on inclusion, encouraging the participation of girls and children from rural and aspirational districts to ensure equitable access to sporting opportunities. By integrating football into school routines, the initiative seeks to foster sportsmanship, teamwork and physical fitness among students, nurturing a vibrant sporting culture nationwide.
