Sunil Chhetri named first male participant in second edition of FIFA Player Impact Programme
Former India men’s national team captain Sunil Chhetri has been selected as the first male participant in the second edition of the FIFA Player Impact Programme, the All India Football Federation said, and was among 11 participants who met in Boston, Massachusetts, for a three-day Impact Accelerator Workshop in June.
The programme, which ran a female-only pilot in 2025, has been expanded to include 13 footballers from across the world and is designed to help players harness their voices, platforms and resources to drive positive social change, the AIFF release said.
The international cohort features Spain’s Alexia Putellas, Canada’s Jessie Fleming, England’s Michelle Agyemang, Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and Brazil’s Gabi Nunes, among others.
Commenting on his selection, Chhetri said, as per the release, “I’m really happy that I got this opportunity. I cannot wait to put those lessons into practice. I don’t think there is a difference between a man and a woman here. We are just meeting amazing personalities, some amazing top-class players from different countries.”
The three-day Impact Accelerator Workshop provided participants with opportunities to share personal journeys, identify causes important to them and explore ways to translate ideas into actionable initiatives through group discussions, practical exercises and expert-led sessions, the release said.
The FIFA Player Impact Programme aims to equip players with the skills and tailored guidance required to create a lasting impact within their communities. Education, mental health and equitable access to sport are among the key areas being championed by participants in the programme.
FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis, who met the participants during the workshop in Boston, said, as per the release, “As players and coaches, we spend our careers building a legacy through what we do on the pitch: the big save, the match-winning goal, the last-ditch tackle. But one of the questions we should all ask ourselves is: what legacy are we leaving beyond the game?”
“Today we have a reach that extends far beyond 90 minutes. Through social media and the platforms available to us, we have an incredible opportunity not only to connect with fans, but to influence communities, create opportunities for others and drive meaningful change. That’s the kind of impact that lasts well beyond the final whistle,” Ellis added, as per the release.
The current cohort will reconvene in London and meet again through virtual sessions in December, where participants will present their social impact projects and report on progress, and Chhetri’s inclusion brings Indian football into the global conversation on the power of sport to drive meaningful change beyond the boundaries of the game.
