Kuala Lumpur: This year's AFC Grassroots Football Day was a resouncing success as a record-breaking 37 Member Associations participated in the landmark event.
CAMBODIA
Some 126 children from four age-groups – under-10 to under-16 – participated in the Football Federation of Cambodia’s (FFC) grassroots day celebrations at the National Olympic Stadium.
Under the guidance of five FFC youth coaches, players were divided into four small-sided pitches, participating in seven-a-side and eight-a-side matches. Players were also given the opportunity to hone their technical skills with their coaches in the later stages before concluding the eventful festival with a prize-giving ceremony.
In his closing address, the FFC Technical Director, Mr. Ohara Kazunori said “I hope the boys will continue to train regularly as it presents the first step to improving. We also need to organise more friendly matches and youth competitions. If we can involve more media and parents to support our festival, it will only serve as bigger motivation for our players.”
GUAM
Spider-man made an appearance at the Guam Football Association (GFA) Grassroots Jamboree ceremony at the GFA National Training Centre in Harman last month. Leveraging on the powerful platform of the beautiful game, GFA took the opportunity to spread the message of anti-bullying to schools, teachers and parents.
The next edition of the Guam Football Association 3v3 Grassroots Tournament has been set for May 28th for all youth players between the ages of eight and 12 years old
IRAN
The Football Federation of Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) held its first-ever National Grassroots Conference, which drew over 800 coaches from all over the country on May 12.
Addressing the coaches, new-elected President of the FFIRI Mehdi Taj shared his delight at the spirit of unity displayed by all grassroots coaches and reinforced his support to strengthen the foundations of the grassroots movement as the country sought to maintain its position as one Asia’s best teams.
The inaugural National Grassroots Conference was also boosted by an expansive nine festivals held in all corners of the country, bringing together close to 2,000 participants. Additionally, some 400 coaches also participated in the grassroots course, aimed at widening their application of the philosophies, principles and technical functions of the game.
JAPAN
The AFC Grassroots Football Day was especially significant for Japan this year as it coincided with the 23rd anniversary of the J.League. Incidentally, the introduction of the J.League in 1993 served as the impetus for the establishment of the Japan Football Association’s (JFA) Declaration on Grassroots football.
In Tokachi, Hokkaido, 115 passionate women and girl of all ages - the oldest aged 64 - participated in the JFA Women’s Football Festival. A referee’s introductory course was also conducted by one of the continent’s most respected officials, Teshirogi Naomi. The Hokkaido native, who will be officiating at this year’s Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, stressed on the importance for all players to understand the laws of the game.
The JFA also organised two Family Futsal Festivals in the Aomori and Akita prefectures, which were complemented with a series of fringe activities to provide more opportunities for families to forge closer bonds through football.
KYRGYZSTAN
Close to 500 children gathered at the FFKR Technical Centre and the Dordoi Sports Centre in the capital of Bishkek as the Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic (FFKR) organised two grassroots festivals this year.
The festivals were conducted under the supervision of FFKR instructors and players from the under-16 football academy. The success of this year’s grassroots events has been built on the progressive partnerships between the FFKR and school teachers, paving the way for two additionally grassroots festivals, which were held in April 2016.
MACAU
Amid the ongoing celebrations of the AFC Grassroots Football Day throughout the continent, the Macau Football Association (MFA) created history as they joint fellow Member Associations in commemorating the momentous occasion for the first time.
A youth tournament, bringing together 60 young players from ages 12 to 18 was successfully concluded, seeding opportunities for growth of the grassroots movement in the country. In the coming months, the MFA also plans to organise a fun-filled celebration for children and festival for women’s football as part of efforts to further develop one of the most popular sports in the country.
MALAYSIA
Organised by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the grassroots festival attracted 100 boys and girls in the capital of Kuala Lumpur, where participants were given the opportunity to embark on a lifelong appreciation for the beautiful game. Held at the FAM headquarters in Kelana Jaya, the festival was designed for children from age four to 12, including those with special needs.
MALDIVES
The Football Association of Maldives (FAM) organised a grassroots festival for 432 boys and girls, which was well-received by participants, parents and teachers alike.
As part of the celebrations, the FAM also conducted a two-day seminar for 37 volunteer coaches, who were put through their paces in both theory and practical sessions to enhance their capabilities and aptitude for grassroots and youth football coaching
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Much to the delight of aspiring footballers, the mega grassroots festival also saw a special appearance by Maziya and national team midfielder Ahmed Nashid, who was pleased to lend his support to inspire and share his experience with budding talents and the future generation of Maldives football.
MYANMAR
Some 300 boys and girls from the townships surrounding the Burmese capital of Yangon participated in the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) AYA Bank Grassroots Football festival.
Graced by Than Zaw, CEO and General Secretary of the MFF, the MFF also partnered schools to organise a grassroots coaching refresher course for 50 physical education teachers.
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
Small-sided matches were the key theme of the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association’s (NMIFA) celebration of this year’s AFC Grassroots Football Day. Held once a year at the Oleai Sports Complex Field, the highly anticipated NMIFA 3 versus 3 (3V3) Grassroots Football Day tournament attracted 200 players from across the Pacific Island nation, which has a population of just below 55,000.
Comprising three age group categories, the tournament was dominated by Tan Holdings Football Club, who captured both the under-8 and under-10 division crowns. Meanwhile Matansa Football Club and surprise package, Kanoa Football Club emerged as joint champions of the under-12 division.
OMAN
Oman marked their first-ever AFC Grassroots Football Day celebration at the Seeb Stadium with close to 100 children from the nine to 13 age groups. The young participant were put through various exercises under the supervision of the Oman Football Association (OFA) grassroots staff and coaches.
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Grassroots football represents one of the key areas as the OFA seeks to achieve its strategic development goals for 2018 and Vision 2022. Stressing the importance of grassroots, OFA Technical Director Jim Selby said: “Grassroots football is their (the kids) game but it is our future and is very important for the development of Oman Football looking forward.”
TAJIKISTAN
More than 100 children gathered at the Cental Republican Stadium in Dushanbe to celebrate the AFC Grassroots Football Day. Organised by Tajikistan Football Federation (TFF), children from the ages of six and 12 participated in a series of relays and games to promote the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle through sport.
In a fun-filled affair, the Tajikistan Football Federation (TFF) also presented footballs and prizes to the participating children who left the event with a positive experience of the beautiful game.
TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan Football Federation (TFF) partnered with the State Sport Committee as well as volunteers from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Agency for International Development, (USAID) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to promote the importance of cultivating a healthy lifestyle and fitness through football.
The grassroots festival presented participants with an opportunity to undertake health and fitness tests. Football-themed temporary tattoos were a huge hit amongst children who were also educated on the harmful effects of smoking.
PALESTINE
Some 150 players from the six to 12 age groups, representing a myriad of local clubs across the country participated in the AFC Grassroots Football Day organised by the Palestine Football Association (PFA) at the Majed Asa’ad Stadium in Al-Bireh.
Each player was given the opportunity to enhance various aspects of their technical abilities, spending approximately seven to 12 minutes in skill clinics for dribbling, passing, ball-control, shooting, coordination and small-sided matches.
UAE
In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the United Arab Emirates Football Association’s (UAEFA) outreach efforts amassed an impressive 7,000 children, with the aim to register all participants to the amateur clubs in their respective regions. The UAEFA’s strategy has been anchored on strengthening the connections between schools and amateur clubs, which are also supported by seven grassroots academies across the country.
As part of their advanced grassroots programme, the UAEFA also organised festivals for under-12 and under-11 children, with the best players eventually progressing to the five technical centres that serve as development platforms for the country’s most promising talents.
Building on the grassroots’ principles of inclusivity, the UAEFA also introduced its first-ever grassroots football programme for people with disabilities.
Photos: Participating AFC Member Associations
Source: the-afc.com