May 16 – The AFC Grassroots Football Day has been renewed for its 11th edition later this summer, with an official date to be revealed in due course.
The event has recorded an important milestone by increasing its roster of participating Member Associations (MAs) to 43 – a record number of AFC member associations to have pledged to join the Grassroots Football Day 2024.
Almost 45,000 participants are expected to join in the celebration, the most since COVID19 restraints were lifted. The mission is to get more young boys and girls across the continent, into the beautiful at grassroots level.
MAs including the Bhutan Football Federation, Palestine Football Association, and Mongolia Football Federation will honour the event with festivals revolved around mini-tournaments and small-sided games.
Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz Football Union will conduct seminars to enhance coaches’ understanding of children’s psychology and modern coaching methods, whilst the Japan Football Association will revive the Penguins Cup MAKUHARI in partnership with the Japan Walking Football Federation.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “For a decade now, the annual celebration has remained a symbol of the Confederation’s unwavering support and dedication towards the enhancement and nurturing of grassroots football across our diverse Continent.”
“As underlined in our Vision and Mission, the AFC is resolute in its ambitions to ensure the success of our national teams and clubs on the highest of stages. But to ensure this growth in a sustainable manner, we must never take our eyes off our very foundation – the grassroots.
“But, as we all know, there is a larger purpose to developing football at the grassroots level than just creating a pipeline of future stars. It is just as much about fostering widespread engagement and instilling a love for the sport, and using the massive potential of football to create well-rounded individuals.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1720117378labto1720117378ofdlr1720117378owedi1720117378sni@g1720117378niwe.1720117378yrrah1720117378
