Ryan Group of Institutions has signed a memorandum of understanding with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to introduce structured football and futsal programmes across its network of schools, aiming to strengthen grassroots development and promote student participation in the sport.

The agreement, signed on February 18, 2026, will see AIFF provide technical support including grassroots football and futsal frameworks, standardised coaching curricula, training for school staff, and monitoring of programme quality and safeguarding standards. The federation will also define competition formats, deploy technical observers and scouts, and permit the use of its branding for participating schools, coaches and players.

The partnership places emphasis on school futsal and girls’ football, with dedicated programmes and competitions designed to expand access to the sport and encourage female participation across age groups.

Ryan Pinto, Chief Executive Officer of the group, said the collaboration aligns with the institution’s focus on holistic student development and integrates professional football training within the school system. He added that the initiative seeks to support both academic and sporting growth among students, in line with the vision of founder A. F. Pinto.

Satyanarayan, Deputy Secretary General of AIFF, said the partnership would expand structured football programmes in schools and strengthen development pathways for young players through organised training, coach education and safeguarding measures.

The programme is expected to benefit students across the group’s schools by providing AIFF-certified coaching, structured competitions and defined pathways for talent progression, while maintaining a focus on player welfare and safety.

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