FFA Chairman Steven Lowy and CEO David Gallop have met with their counterparts at the All India Football Federation, President Praful Patel and General Secretary Kushal Das, to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the sport for development program, Just Play.
The Just Play program, recognised earlier this year with a UEFA Foundation for Children Award for its contribution to the lives of children in the Pacific, has been running as a pilot since January in the Indian state of Kerala.
Overseen by FFA and the All India Football Federation, the program uses the worldwide appeal of football to promote healthy hygiene and sanitation habits, as well as gender equality to children aged 6 to 12. The program partners with state governments and state football associations to operate in schools and community spaces.
The MOU continues the working history FFA has with AIFF in the grassroots sport for development space, and will govern the structure of the program and its potential expansion across the country.
Gallop, in Goa ahead of the Asian Football Confederation Extraordinary Congress, stated, “The Just Play program continues to demonstrate the possibilities of football – bringing nations together to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with the All India Football Federation to make an impact and build on the strong relationship between our two member associations.”
General Secretary Kushal Das said "It gives me immense pleasure to help forge and mark the beginning of this exciting partnership between the FFA and AIFF for the development and growth of football in our respective countries. I am looking forward to seeing how the project will help connect children, the parents and other enthusiastic stakeholders across our societies and help them bond over football. This initiative will not only help in the development of grassroots football but also bring people together for a common cause of building a sporting culture in our societies."
The Just Play program is scheduled to begin expansion in Kerala towards the end of this year with the assistance of the managing partner, the Oceania Football Confederation and the support of the Australian Government via the Asian Sports Partnerships initiative.