Nepal to launch FIFA Football for Schools

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 30: With support from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) programme is set to launch in Nepal at Dashrath Stadium on July 31. The F4S initiative is a joint effort by FIFA and UNESCO.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli will be inaugurating the F4S, All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) confirmed on Tuesday. 

ANFA President Pankaj Bikram Nemwang and General Secretary Kiran Rai formally invited the PM Oli, who accepted the invitation considering the importance of the event, said ANFA in its press release issued on Tuesday. This program is being implemented in Nepal in cooperation with Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Ministry of Youth and Sports in coordination with ANFA. 

The F4S will contribute to the development of the nation's educational and sports. Organising a press meet on Monday, ANFA said that the program will play a pivotal role in introducing football at the school level. 

As part of the collaboration between FIFA and ANFA, 32,640 footballs will be distributed to 1,072 schools across all 75 districts.  In addition, school teachers and coaches will receive specialized training. The program aims to integrate football into the school curriculum, fostering life skills among students and supporting the development of grassroots football in Nepal.

For the launching of the event, Antonio Buenano Sanchez, Manager of the FIFA Football for Schools program; Alberto Giacomini, Technical Advisor have arrived in Nepal.

Meanwhile, a two-day capacity building workshop was organized at the ANFA Complex, Satdobato on Tuesday. 

The workshop aims at enhancing the knowledge and delivery skills of coach educators for the F4S programme. 

The workshop blends theory and practice to equip coaches from across Nepal with tools to integrate football with life skills and education.

FIFA experts Sanchez and Giacomini imparted the knowledge on how to implement the F4S app and methodology. Participants are expected to apply their learning in schools nationwide and train others, ensuring the programme's long-term impact, ANFA said in its press release.