PFF Press Release: 18 July 2026
Pakistan’s pioneering Football for Mental Health initiative received international recognition on Friday as it was showcased at the United Nations event, “One World, One Game, One Goal: Football as a Catalyst for Youth Mental Health and Well-being,” where Pakistan joined representatives from Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria and England to share how football is being used to improve youth mental health and well-being.
Organised in collaboration with the United Nations in Pakistan, the UN Youth Office and UNESCO, the high-level discussion brought together government representatives, football leaders, athletes and youth advocates to explore how football can be harnessed to promote mental health, resilience and social inclusion among young people.
Representing Pakistan, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani outlined the Federation’s Football for Mental Health initiative, which has used the power of football to promote mental health awareness, empower young people and strengthen communities across the country.
“Using football as a tool for mental health did not inspire us, it transformed us. We were able to create more than 300 youth ambassadors for mental health, we were able to reach thousands of children across Pakistan creating awareness for mental health, we were able to use 80 of our current and former national players for our campaign. We truly believe that as a football federation it is our responsibility to not only produce good players but also to create responsible, healthy citizens.”
Launched in partnership with the United Nations in Pakistan and the UN Youth Office, the Football for Mental Health initiative has become one of the Pakistan Football Federation’s flagship social impact programmes, demonstrating how football can extend far beyond the pitch to create meaningful and measurable change in communities.
Gilani said the initiative’s greatest achievement was not simply what had already been accomplished, but the opportunity to work collectively with partners around the world to expand football’s social impact.
“What excites me is not what we have done but what we can do together. Within our country we were able to show that football can create real social impact.”
Pakistan’s delegation also included Sibal Fawad Tariq of the Pakistan Women’s National Futsal Team, reinforcing the important role athletes play as advocates for mental health awareness and youth engagement.
Representing the Government of Pakistan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting football and sport as powerful tools for encouraging healthy lifestyles, positive youth development and community engagement. During the event, he also highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to the global game by presenting the Trionda, the official FIFA World Cup match ball manufactured in Pakistan.
Concluding his address, Gilani called for sustained action to ensure that mental health remains at the heart of football’s contribution to society.
“Mental health is not a campaign, it’s an issue that we need to continue to address. And it is our responsibility not just to run a campaign but to keep focussing on what we can continuously.”
Pakistan’s participation highlighted the growing international recognition of the Pakistan Football Federation’s Football for Mental Health initiative and reaffirmed the Federation’s belief that football’s greatest impact is measured not only in victories on the pitch, but also in the healthier, stronger and more resilient communities it helps build.