Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Premier League NEXTGEN Uses Football to Support Indian Communities
Football can teach people more than how to pass or score goals.
In India, the Premier League’s NEXTGEN programme helps community coaches learn how to support young people.
Kirti Kashyap teaches players simple habits like keeping clean.
Nariender Tokas helps coaches make sessions safe, welcoming and fun.
The programme also teaches coaches about leadership and caring for players.
Coaches can share what they learn with others in their communities.
The programme is run with the OSCAR Foundation.
The article says related Premier League projects have reached many states and thousands of coaches and young people.
The Premier League NEXTGEN Coach Programme trains community coaches to deliver inclusive, supportive football sessions for young people.
Coach educators Kirti Kashyap and Nariender Tokas will help deliver the programme in Mumbai this October.
Kashyap adds basic hygiene lessons to coaching, while Tokas promotes safe, enjoyable and learning-focused sessions.
The programme is delivered with the OSCAR Foundation; its inaugural edition took place in Goa in May 2026 with more than 30 coaches.
The article says Premier League initiatives have reached 18 Indian states, supported over 7,500 coaches and educators, and engaged more than 164,000 young people.
- Who
- The Premier League, the OSCAR Foundation, community coaches including Kirti Kashyap and Nariender Tokas, and young people in India.
- What
- The NEXTGEN Coach Programme trains community coaches to support young people through football.
- When
- The programme's inaugural edition was held in May 2026; another edition is scheduled for Mumbai this October.
- Where
- Across India, including Goa and Mumbai.
- Why
- To strengthen grassroots football and help coaches create inclusive, positive experiences that support young people's development.
Programme’s potential
Limits of evidence in the article
Community impact
Programme’s potential
The article presents coach education and football as ways to build inclusion, life skills and positive experiences for young people.
Limits of evidence in the article
The article provides programme reach figures and coach examples, but does not present independent evaluation or opposing assessments of the programme's impact.
- Programme
- Premier League NEXTGEN Coach Programme
- Delivery partner
- OSCAR Foundation
- Inaugural edition
- Goa, May 2026
- Coaches at inaugural edition
- More than 30 OSCAR Foundation coaches
- Next edition
- Scheduled for Mumbai in October; the article does not specify the year
- Reach of Premier League initiatives in India
- 18 states
- Reported programme reach
- More than 7,500 coaches, referees and educators supported; over 164,000 young people engaged