KIAF Launches Football Programme for Girls from Rural Schools
Bengaluru, September 18, 2026: Kempegowda International Airport Foundation (KIAF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), has partnered with KEMP Excellence Foundation to provide structured football training and competitive opportunities to girls from KIAF-supported government schools.
The three-year programme will provide professional coaching, sports equipment and competitive exposure while identifying grassroots talent with potential to progress to higher levels of the sport.
Under the initiative, 100 girls across eight batches will be trained by AIFF-certified coaches from KEMP Excellence Foundation. The programme includes two on-field sessions each week, with 40 sessions planned each season. Participants will receive training kits, football boots, stockings, match balls and other equipment, with the programme fully subsidised.
The initiative, guided by the motto ‘Dream – Dare – Go’, also aims to build confidence, discipline and teamwork while providing opportunities to participate in inter-school fixtures, youth leagues and district, state and national-level tournaments.
Early competitive outcomes have already been recorded. Selected students made their competitive debut at the Padukone Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Yelahanka. At the Taluk Level Girls’ Football Tournament 2026–27, GHPS Bettakote emerged as Taluk Champions, while GMPGS Vijayapura finished as runners-up among six participating teams.
All 18 players from the two KIAF-supported schools subsequently qualified to represent the taluk at the Bengaluru District Level Tournament.
KIAF currently supports seven government schools, reaching approximately 3,000 students through its Namma Shikshana initiative, which focuses on holistic education, and Namma Aarogya, which focuses on health and wellbeing.
KIAF plans to progressively extend the football programme to neighbouring government schools, with the stated aim of providing more girls from rural communities access to structured sporting opportunities.
