MANILA, Philippines – The development of the beautiful game in the Philippines reached another milestone today through the launching of the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) programme today at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.
Through the resurgence of football in the national consciousness brought on by the success of the Philippine Women’s National Team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and the recent matches of the Philippine Men’s National Team in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, which saw a combined total of over 20,000 spectators in the stadium, the F4S is primed to pave the way for a renewed awareness and showcase the benefit of football and education.
Launched in 2019 in collaboration with UNESCO, the F4S programme aims to make football readily accessible to children across the globe by embedding football in the education system.
To ensure the F4S meets its objectives, PFF established partnerships with both the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of Education in training educators and community coaches who will be applying the learnings in their respective communities.
PFF president and FIFA Council Member Mariano Araneta said: “We welcome the FIFA Football for Schools in the Philippines as it presents the need to nurture football players at the grassroots level. We also expresse our sincerest gratitude to FIFA, Philippine Sports Commission, and the Department of Education in ensuring that our children will not only be able to learn the beautiful game, but also promote life skills and competencies through the sport.”
Over 500 people attended the launch ceremony with FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura serving as the guest of honor along with FIFA Football for Schools Director Fatimata Sidibe, FIFA Regional Director for Asia and Oceania Sanjeevan Balasingam, FIFA Regional Lead Office Lavin Vignesh, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann, and Department of Education Project Development Officer. James Liquigan
Samoura said: “The core idea is to promote the development and empowerment of millions of children around the world. Football brings people together, inspires generations, and promotes team spirit. It can play a pivotal role in helping to educate children, and through the Football for Schools programme, FIFA has the ability tocontribute to harnessing the game’s power in order to educate on a global scale.”
Prior to the launch, FIFA conducted a two-day Capacity Building Workshop with the 33 Grassroots Development Officers (GDOs) and 7 Government Development Offices. The workshop saw participants learn the philosophy of F4S and how they can embed life skills in football. It culminated with the launch, where the coaches applied the learnings and taught the 250 children in attendance.
Following the launch, Madame Samoura conducted a site visit of the new PFF Headquarters nearby which is under the FIFA Forward Programme.
