By Sachit Subba • Off-Field • Jul 28, 2025 14:11 PM • 300 views
In a landmark move for youth sports development in Nepal, the 'FIFA Football for Schools' program is set to launch this Thursday from Kathmandu's Dasharath Stadium, marking the first time the global initiative reaches the Himalayan nation. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) officially announced the launch during a press conference held on Monday. Present at the briefing were FIFA's Football for Schools Program Manager, Antonio Buonano Sanchez; Technical Advisor, Alberto Giacomini; ANFA General Secretary, Kiran Rai; and Spokesperson, Suresh Shah. The initiative, which FIFA runs in collaboration with UNESCO, aims to blend football with education by embedding the sport into school curricula. By doing so, it seeks to instil essential life skills in students while simultaneously strengthening grassroots football nationwide. "This is more than just about the game," said Antonio Buonano Sanchez. "It's about using football as a tool to teach children values, teamwork, discipline, and resilience—qualities that extend far beyond the pitch." ANFA has partnered with Nepal's Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, as well as the Ministry of Youth and Sports, to roll out the program. According to ANFA, the plan is to implement the initiative in 1,072 schools across all 77 districts of the country. As part of the effort, 32,640 footballs will be distributed nationwide. Spokesperson Suresh Shah emphasised the transformative potential of the initiative: "This program represents a strategic investment in our youth. It aligns with our long-term vision of producing not only better athletes but more capable citizens." Nepal becomes the latest addition to the growing list of countries embracing FIFA's Football for Schools program—an initiative already showing positive results in developing nations around the world. As the ball gets rolling from Dasharath Stadium this week, hopes are high that it will spark a new era in Nepali school sports culture.
