The pilot for the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 – Mission Eleven Million kicked off today here in Goa. Principals and Physical Education teachers from 50 schools attended the workshop which launches what will eventually reach out to 12000 schools over 29 states, thus becoming the biggest school contact program ever held in India.

Dignitaries, who were part of the pioneer program will start activity in their schools on 26th 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 smart phones, laptops, sometime 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 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 many 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”.

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