August 26 – The top brass of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) met in Kuala Lumpur, Thursday, to progress the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Mexico City in May.
The confederations signed a two-year agreement in Mexico City in May specifically to co-operate on football development, education and competitions.
AFC general secretary Dato’ Windsor said: “The AFC has several MoUs with other Confederations but it is important that these are brought to life and this meeting was the start of that process… this is a logical partnership as OFC are our geographically closest Confederation.”
Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, and AFC divisional directors met with David Chung, the OFC President, Sarai Bareman, the OFC Deputy General Secretary and Patrick Jacquemet, the OFC Technical Director.
Discussion covered the key areas of competitions, club licensing, development pathways, player development, referees, media and social responsibility, with both sides sharing views on best practice and agreeing a timeline to continue the dialogue.
“This is the start of our Confederations working together to achieve our common goal of improving football in our regions,” said Chung.
“This is the start of a fruitful relationship which will allow us both to work together for the benefit of both the AFC and OFC.”
This Memorandum of Understanding is the fourth the AFC has with other confederations joining agreements with the Africans (CAF), CONCACAF and UEFA. The AFC also has co-operation agreements with several European Leagues.
At the signing ceremony in Mexico City, the day before the FIFA Congress, AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, said: “In Asia we recognise the many challenges that are shared by our friends in Oceania but we can also see great opportunities: Opportunities to use this great game to bring about social integration, cohesion and increase participation in our member associations.
“We will aim to work closely together in three key areas – competitions, education and development. But this MoU also allows us to do so much more. To exchange information, knowledge and good practices which will re-inforce the values of fair play, team spirit and integrity.”
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