Off the wire
• Feature: Raptors' Patrick Patterson 'very thankful' of rookie year with Yao  • Production suspended at Australia's largest LNP project  • 3rd Ld Writethru-China Headlines: China launches retrievable space science probe  • IS accumulates force in Afghanistan, Russian official  • Feature: China's Belt and Road Initiative boosts poverty relief in Sri Lanka  • Spotlight: More cooperation between major countries needed to boost global nuclear security in post-NSS era  • Industrial development threatens half of natural World Heritage sites  • Bayern: Too much art, not enough craftsmanship  • New Zealand looking to open agriculture markets in Europe  • New Zealand government hails first direct air link with Philippines  
You are here: 　 Home

Football Federation Australia to set up grassroots football program in India

Xinhua, April 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australia's football federation has announced a collaboration with the Australian government to provide a number of football-based grassroots development programs in India.

On the back of a number of successful programs implemented in the Oceanic region, The Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the Australian government will try to replicate the programs in Indian state of Kerala.

According to Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, the "Just Play" program will encourage young children to take up football as a way to forge positive social relationships and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

"The objective of the program is to give children aged six to 12 years a positive first experience with football while also teaching lessons about important social issues, such as gender equality and sanitation," Bishop said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Just Play" is a joint venture between the Australian government, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), UNICEF and UEFA Foundation. FFA has been an official partner since the program was inaugurated in 2009.'

Bishop said the program's success in Oceanic nations means the template should also be a great success in India.

"The program has helped over 200,000 children in Oceania learn football skills along with valuable health and well-being lessons. I look forward to making the same positive impact in Kerala," she said.

FFA chief executive David Gallop said the "Just Play" program demonstrates positive role that football can play in young peoples' lives.

He said the program would also deliver Australian international aid across the Asian nation.

"Combining football with an educational agenda is a compelling way to engage with vulnerable children. It's a way that football is Australia's bridge to Asia and beyond," Gallop said.

"The 'Just Play' program has a proven record over the past seven years and I'm sure that FFA's expertise in coaching and development, supported by the Australia Government's funding, will produce very worthwhile outcomes in India."

The FFA has said it had held talks with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India to secure access to national facilities in the event that the program expands beyond the state of Kerala. Endi