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Punjab government ties up with FIFA, AIFF to promote football across the state

The state government has launched FIFA’s ambitious initiative 'FIFA Football for Schools' aiming to groom the budding players.

BySouth First Desk

Published Aug 13, 2023 | 10:56 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 13, 2023 | 10:56 AM

Punjab Education Minister Harjot bains launches initiative to promote football across the state, ties up with FIFA, AIFF. (Supplied)

In a bid to promote football in Punjab, the state government has joined hands with FIFA and the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The state government, on Saturday, 12 August, launched FIFA’s ambitious initiative “FIFA Football for Schools” aiming to groom the budding players under-14 at their schools so as to enable them to compete in national as well as international football events.

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains along with AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey launched the initiative and identified 1000 schools for same.

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‘Will appoint mentors’

“FIFA and AIFF will extend all possible support and cooperation to further hone the sports skills amongst budding students by providing 20,000 Adidas footballs as well as appointing mentors for the young players to refine their talent,” said Bains.

He further added that the state government in association with the Punjab Football Association (PFA) was fully geared up to take this Blue Cubs (Grassroots) Development Programme in every nook and corner of the state through its schools.

The state government has recruited 2000 Physical Training Instructors (PTI) to fulfil staff crunch in schools.

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‘Football in Punjab will be great again’

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said, “Punjab has given many sons of its soil to the beautiful game in the past, and we are seeing a semblance of that revival once again.”

“Both PFA and the local stakeholders have shown a lot of proactiveness, and I am sure with the proper implementation of the plans discussed in the meeting today, football in Punjab will be great again,” he added.

AIFF Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran said, “It is very important that we put in the foundation for football in the state, along with the PFA and all other stakeholders.”

“Punjab never had a dearth of talent. I am sure that with proper planning the state will once again produce top players like in the golden days,” he added.

Discussions were also held about entering various initiatives to broad base football across the state and bring it up to a level where Punjab once again produces legendary players like Inder Singh through the Blue Cubs programme.