ISLAMABAD, May 24 (APP): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has unveiled its ambitious Football For Schools programme, under which more than 150,000 footballs will be distributed to schools across Pakistan, marking a major step toward grassroots football development and youth engagement.The announcement was made by PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani during the AFC Grassroots Football Day celebrations at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad.
The event featured 56 young footballers, divided into eight teams with equal participation from boys and girls, highlighting the federation’s commitment to inclusive football development.Pakistan joined a record 45 Member Associations in celebrating the 13th AFC Grassroots Football Day, held in conjunction with FIFA’s World Football Week and supporting the United Nations’ Football for the Goals initiative.Addressing the participants, President Gilani emphasized the importance of grassroots football as the foundation of the sport’s future.“Grassroots football is the factory where future stars are nurtured. Every player’s journey begins at this level before progressing to national and international stages,” he said.He added that the Football For Schools programme is part of a broader strategy to expand football opportunities for young people nationwide and strengthen the sport’s development pipeline.The event also included a safeguarding awareness session for parents, featuring an educational animation on child protection, underscoring the PFF’s commitment to creating safe and supportive environments for young athletes.A key highlight of the celebrations was the joint participation of girls’ and boys’ teams, reflecting the federation’s vision of promoting equal opportunities and greater inclusivity in football across Pakistan.The PFF said the nationwide rollout of the Football For Schools initiative will begin in the coming months, aiming to make football more accessible to children and inspire the next generation of Pakistani talent.
