AFC Grassroots Panel confirms desire to grow football in Asia

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Image credit: AFC website

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reaffirmed its desire to establish soccer as the most popular sport in Asia at the AFC Grassroots Panel meeting 2024.

Hosted at the InterContinental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday, the panel meeting outlined the organisation’s aspiration to connect more people than ever to soccer, regardless of their social, economic or physical disadvantages.

To begin the meeting, panel members reviewed the latest endorsements of the AFC Grassroots Charter. They focused on how to grow and develop the agreement, which currently has 43 Member Associations (MAs).

Through the meeting, members discussed the most recent grassroots objectives, including the standardisation of grassroots data collection systems and registration, and the introduction and reinforcement of mandatory child protection measures.

The panel examined the findings of a recent survey coordinated by the AFC and the Japan Football Association, which aimed to find effective ways to support MA’s development of players through gathering information on the landscape of grassroots and youth football in Asia.

Attendees also discussed the importance of a potential training course for grassroots leaders, that would teach topics such as skill development, motivation, and player safety, to help aide community figures.

AFC Technical Director, Andy Roxburgh, spoke about how important it was to reach young people through such courses.

“Grassroots football starts with young people. Therefore, it is essential that we establish a safe environment that provides a fun experience while promoting health, good habits, happiness, and hope,” he said at the conference.

“The proposed sessions are designed to equip teachers, parents, and volunteers with essential knowledge, ensuring they are well-prepared for the delicate task of introducing football to children for the first time.”

To finalise the meeting, panellists were also praised for their role in the 11th AFC Grassroots Football Day 2024. The day involved 43 MAs connecting together through tournaments, festivals and seminars, to celebrate the beauty and strength of grassroots soccer.

Furthermore, members were shown highlights of the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023, where AFC MAs had been rewarded for their work with the AFC President’s Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football.

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Football Victoria partners with SportsAid for enhanced player safety

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Image credit: Sports Aid

Football Victoria (FV) has confirmed a partnership with Sports Aid, which has been named the Official Medical Partner for all FV events.

The collaboration will ensure that participants in these prominent tournaments benefit from top-tier medical support and first aid services.

Established in 2023, Sports Aid has rapidly positioned itself as a leading provider of medical and safety expertise in Australian sport. Based in Melbourne, the organisation has expanded nationwide, offering its services at a variety of events, from grassroots sports to corporate tournaments.

With over 70 partnerships across the country, Sports Aid’s team of accredited professionals—including first aid responders, sports trainers, and event safety specialists—plays a pivotal role in promoting athlete welfare and event safety.

Under the alliance, Sports Aid will deliver medical personnel, including first aid responders and sports trainers, at FV’s major competitions and events throughout Victoria.

Their on-site presence will provide immediate medical assistance for injuries or health concerns, mitigate risks associated with physical activity, and enhance overall safety for players and spectators alike.

FV’s Executive Manager – Commercial, Chris Speldewinde spoke about the role Sports Aid will play in improving Victorian football.

“Their expertise ensures the safety of our participants, which is paramount in delivering outstanding sporting experiences.” he said in a press release.

Sports Aid’s founder, James Theodorakopoulos, also commented on the partnership.

“We are thrilled to be working with Football Victoria. Our primary focus is on safety, and we’re committed to ensuring that every player and participant has a seamless medical experience at FV events,” he said in a press release.

“It’s not just about responding to injuries, but also ensuring the overall well-being of everyone involved.”

Football Victoria adds Sports Aid on top of recent PILA, VETO Sports and Novotel Preston who all play a specific role in ensuring players involved with FV get the best out of their game.

FV have been focusing heavily on developing local football with facility upgrades, equipment partnerships as well as launching their GO Family football program aimed at improving fitness and building stronger family connections.

This specific partnership with Sports Aid is another that will play a positive role in the sport across the state.

FIFA, Qatar and world organisations launch Legacy Fund

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Image credit: Shutterstock.com/Jose Breton-Pics Action

FIFA has invested $76.7 million into the World Cup 2022 Legacy Fund, in collaboration with Qatar, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Previously announced in November 2022, the fund will aid a number of social programs across the world.

To launch the Legacy Fund, the initiative was presented and signed on an online meeting.

Attendees included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi.

The FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund will be deployed across the following streams:

Public Health/Occupational Health and Safety: The Legacy Fund will contribute to programs which aim to improve working conditions, and health and wellbeing. In particular, FIFA will support WHO’s Beat the Heat initiative, to protect people from the hazards caused by extreme heat and the advance of climate change.

Education: In conjuncture with the WTO and International Trade Centre, FIFA will bolster the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund, a program which seeks to empower female entrepreneurs. 

Refugees: In partnership with the UNHCR, FIFA will assist schemes which aim to strengthen vulnerable peoples’ self-sufficiency and access to basic amenities.

Football development: FIFA will place greater emphasis on finding young talents across remote, marginalised and developing countries through the Aspire Academy and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, headed by Arsène Wenger. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his pride for the Legacy Fund.

“The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund is a landmark project that builds on the unprecedented impact of the tournament from a sustainability point of view,” he said via press release.

“FIFA is taking the concept of a legacy fund to the next level in terms of reach and impact by tackling key priorities such as refugees, occupational health, education, and football development. I would like to thank the UN Refugee Agency, the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization for their commitment to, and cooperation on, this historic initiative.”

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the importance of the partnership.

“The worlds of sport and health must collaborate to create safe, clean and healthy environments for all people engaged in the preparation, delivery and legacy of mega sport events, including workers, athletes, spectators, and communities,” he said in a press release.

To learn more about the Legacy Fund, FIFA has launched a website.

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