AIFF Media Team

MARGAO: The pioneer program for Mission Eleven Million kicked off in Goa on September 23, 2016. Principals and Physical Education teachers from 50 schools attended the workshop which launches what is touted to be the biggest school contact program ever held in India.

Reaching out to 12000 schools and 11 million kids from across the country, the program will connect 29 states.

Dignitaries, who were part of the pioneer programme, will start activity in their schools on 26^th September and eventually the Festival will be held at the Benaulim Ground where 25 students from each school will participate. Targeting kids aged between 10 to 18 years, it also aims at engaging boys, girls and special children together.

Talking at the event, Scott O’Donell, Technical Director, All India Football Federation said, “It’s all about having fun and getting more and more kids involved.

It’s about getting away from the smartphones, laptops, sometimes from the books. It’s about having some quality fun time.”

He even went on to explain the importance of the 4v4 game to the teachers, “We used to play an 11v11 game during our childhood days. But a 4v4 game will make the children interact more among themselves, and then only our purpose will be served.

Moreover, there will be incentives for the kids and the teachers as well. Promising kids will be handed over FIFA U-17 World Cup tickets and much more. Even there will be endowments for the teachers as well, including an opportunity to appear in the AFC licensing grassroots course.

Also, present at the event was Javier Ceppi, Tournament Director, LOC, FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.  Reminiscing his childhood, he exuded, “It’s about creating memories, the relationships I forged on the football field have endured the most; I wish these kids see towards the game and how we are helping them to change their perception towards the game. For us, to be honest, it’s not a project, it’s a mission. It’s almost going to be like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in sports”.