AIFF and Ryan Group Launch School Football Initiative in Bengaluru
Introduction of School Grassroots Football Programme
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 6: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) in collaboration with the Ryan Group of Institutions has officially launched the School Grassroots Football Programme at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru on August 3, 2026. This initiative marks a significant advancement in their partnership aimed at establishing structured football and futsal development within schools throughout India.
This programme is a continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on February 18, 2026, where AIFF pledged to offer technical support for structured football and futsal initiatives across the Ryan school network. In return, the Ryan Group committed to facilitating the education of players at the FIFA-AIFF Talent Academies located in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar.
After the MoU was signed, football coaches from the Ryan Group in Delhi and Bengaluru successfully completed AIFF's coaching education and certification programme. This qualification enables them to implement the newly designed football and futsal curriculum in schools. During the launch event, AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan awarded certificates to the certified coaches and officially introduced the Sports Curriculum alongside Ryan Group of Institutions CEO, Ryan Pinto.
The School Grassroots Football Programme is set to be implemented in 25 Ryan Group schools across 10 cities during the 2026-27 academic year, offering structured, age-appropriate football and futsal coaching delivered by AIFF-certified coaches to thousands of students. This initiative aims to weave football into the educational framework while establishing long-term development pathways for young athletes through a standardized curriculum and organized training settings.
This partnership is part of AIFF's ongoing mission to enhance grassroots football by increasing structured participation at the school level. In addition to football coaching, the programme emphasizes futsal development and encourages girls' football, while instilling values such as teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness among students.
AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan remarked, “Grassroots development is the cornerstone for the future of Indian football. Through our collaboration with the Ryan Group, we are ensuring that qualified, certified coaches provide quality football education directly in schools. Today's launch across 10 cities is a pivotal step in bringing the sport closer to young students nationwide.”
Ryan Pinto, CEO of the Ryan Group of Institutions, stated, “This programme embodies our dedication to holistic education, where sports are as crucial as academics. Our partnership with AIFF has enabled us to introduce globally aligned football and futsal training to our students. Expanding to 25 schools across 10 cities this academic year is merely the beginning of a broader vision for football in our educational institutions.”