British Council, Premier League and Kolkata Police celebrate successful completion of a training programme

British Council, Premier League, and Kolkata Police come together to drive positive change in classrooms and communities through sport.
Premier League Primary Stars programme provided training to 30 educators from Nabadisha centres across Kolkata.
The 10-month-long learning journey culminated in a showcase enjoyed by children from the Nabadisha centres and attended by dignitaries.

Kolkata, 23rd June 2025 – The British Council, UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural exchange in partnership with the Premier League and Kolkata Police, successfully concluded the final stage of the Premier League Primary Stars (PLPS) programme with a vibrant showcase event held today at Kolkata Police Training School. This programme supports educators to create a supportive learning environment where children can take part in and enjoy more sport and physical activity, helping them gain the life skills they need to reach their goals .

Over the course of 10 months, 30 teachers from Nabadisha centres across the city attended three face-to-face courses. The training equipped them with innovative coaching techniques, practical classroom strategies, and resources to deliver high-quality Physical Education (PE) and Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) sessions to less privileged children.

Today’s showcase included activities for children and a certificates ceremony. Dignitaries present at the event included Shri Pandey Santosh, Additional Commissioner of Police IV, Kolkata; Shri Subhankar Bhattacharya, IPS, Jt. Commissioner of Police (AP), Kolkata; Shri Partha Chakraborty, Deputy Commissioner of Police (II), Kolkata; Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata; and Rittika Chanda Parruck, Director Education, India, British Council.

Speaking at the event, Shri Manoj Kumar Verma, IPS Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, said:
“The transformation we have witnessed among the Nabadisha Centre teachers is truly inspiring. These are individuals who have embraced new methods, stepped out of their comfort zones, and reimagined how they can engage their learners. This initiative has reinforced how sport and structured guidance can create meaningful impact in our communities – not just for children, but for the educators who shape their futures. We are proud to be associated with such a forward-looking partnership that places education, empowerment, and community engagement at its heart.”

Shri Pandey Santosh, Additional Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, added: “Through this collaboration, our teachers have not only developed new skills but also the confidence to become change-makers in their schools. The Champions Course, delivered through the Premier League Primary Stars programme and supported by the British Council, has given them practical tools and peer-led training to ensure that physical education and life skills are taught in an inclusive, engaging, and sustainable way. This is a strong foundation for creating long-term change within our communities.”

Rittika Chanda Parruck, Director Education India, British Council, “We are delighted to have successfully delivered the Premier League Primary Stars programme under our MoU with the Government of West Bengal. This showcase highlights the success of using sports in education for positive community engagement. We are proud to have partnered with Kolkata Police and the Premier League to empower teachers from Nabadisha centres, build their confidence, and help unlock the potential of underprivileged children in the city through harnessing the universal love of sports for a great learning experience.”

Nick Perchard, Director of Community at the Premier League, said, ‘The Premier League is committed to sharing its success with fans and communities around the world. Working in partnership with the British Council, we are determined that the positive social impact of Premier League football is felt well beyond the game itself, supporting community leaders in India to engage and support those individuals that needs us the most.’ 
 
The event served as a celebration of the shared commitment of the British Council, the Premier League, and Kolkata Police to support inclusive learning environments and educational equity through innovative partnerships.

Nabadisha is an initiative by Kolkata Police focused on the care, protection, and upliftment of underprivileged children in the city, especially those living on the pavements. Launched in 1997 with 11 centres, Nabadisha has grown significantly since then. It now operates 35 centres across various police stations, serving approximately 1,600 children.

Since 2007, the Premier League and British Council have worked together to develop the skills of more than 40,000 football coaches, referees, and educators, working with more than 2.1 million children and young people in 29 countries. In India, the partnership activities have supported over 7,300 educators and coaches across 18 states, benefiting more than 124,000 students and children. Following Delhi, Goa, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Kolkata becomes the sixth state in India where Premier Primary Stars programme has been completed.

For more information about the British Council and Premier League partnership, visit https://premierleague.britishcouncil.org/stories/india
About the Premier League
The Premier League produces some of the most competitive and compelling football in the world. The League and its clubs use the power and popularity of the competition to inspire fans, communities, and partners in the UK and across the world. The Premier League brings people together from all backgrounds. It is a competition for everyone, everywhere and is available to watch in 900 million homes in 189 countries.

About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2024–25 we reached 599 million people. For more details, visit https://www.britishcouncil.in/

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