VENDA Cup 2026: Kerala Turns to Football in Fight Against Drug Abuse
Thiruvananthapuram, September 8, 2026: Kerala has launched the ninth edition of the VENDA Cup 2026 – Game for SAFE (Substance Abuse-Free Environment), an all-Kerala inter-school football tournament aimed at protecting young people from substance abuse through sport.
Kerala Home and Vigilance Minister Ramesh Chennithala inaugurated the tournament at the Jimmy George Sports Hub in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. The tournament is being organised as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Allianz Services India in partnership with the Fourth Wave Foundation.
Football as a Tool Against Drug Abuse
The VENDA Cup uses football to promote healthy lifestyles, teamwork and a sense of belonging among school students while creating awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chennithala said initiatives such as the VENDA Cup complement the Kerala government’s anti-drug enforcement campaign, Operation Toofan.
He described the tournament as one of the notable CSR initiatives supporting the state’s efforts to create a drug-free environment and urged organisers and stakeholders to continue such programmes.
“We are all committed to make Kerala a drug-free state,” Chennithala said, stressing the importance of collective efforts in achieving that goal.
1,600 Students from 160 School Teams
The 2026 edition has brought together 1,600 young footballers, comprising 800 boys and 800 girls, representing 160 school teams from all 14 districts of Kerala.
The tournament is divided into four zones:
- Kannur
- Thrissur
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Ernakulam
The zonal qualification matches will be conducted during September and October, before the tournament culminates in the State Championships in Ernakulam on October 23 and 24, 2026.
Sports Minister Stresses Awareness
Kerala Sports and Youth Welfare Minister O J Janeesh said legal action alone cannot completely eliminate substance abuse and stressed the importance of awareness programmes.
He said sports can play an important role in preventing young people from falling into substance abuse by giving them positive opportunities and encouraging them to develop their talents.
According to Janeesh, initiatives such as the VENDA Cup can help students move from simply saying “no” to drugs to actively choosing sports and healthier lifestyles.
Fair Play at the Heart of the Tournament
The VENDA Cup also places strong emphasis on sportsmanship. A Fair Play Player Award will be presented after every match, while the Fair Play Team Award will recognise the team demonstrating the highest standards of fairness, discipline and team spirit throughout the competition.
The tournament is the flagship programme of Project VENDA, developed by the Fourth Wave Foundation. The programme has also been recognised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as a best practice in prevention interventions.
Beyond the Football Field
The anti-drug campaign will extend beyond the tournament. Allianz Services India’s employee groups Tarang and SPARSH are working with the Fourth Wave Foundation on awareness initiatives, including mime performances, rap anthems, comic books and short films.
These activities are planned for schools and communities from November 2026 and will focus on encouraging safe and healthy habits among young people.
Allianz Services’ football teams will also play friendly matches with VENDA Cup teams as part of the initiative.
The VENDA Cup 2026 therefore seeks to make football more than a competitive sport, positioning it as a platform for youth empowerment, substance-abuse prevention, healthy living and community engagement across Kerala.
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