Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Moby Group from Afghanistan, Soong Ching Ling Foundation from China and Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Abdulaziz from Saudi Arabia have won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Dream Asia Award. The annual AFC Dream Asia Awards are presented in three categories - corporate, non-governmental organisation and individual – and they recognise and honour those who have shown exemplary commitment towards social development using football as an agent for change.
The awards were handed to the winners by the Chairman of the AFC Social Responsibility Committee, Ahmed Eid, at a ceremony in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Monday.
Ahmed Eid said: “Football is the world’s number one sport. It is also a force for good. The AFC Dream Asia Award winners exemplify the power of our beautiful game to bring hope to millions of people around the world.”
The Moby Group inspires, connects, entertains and empowers millions of people, from its headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Group is committed to creating opportunities for the youth and contributing to Afghanistan’s social development. As part of its partnership with the Roshan Afghan Premier League, the Moby Group organised the first-ever women’s football tournament in Kabul in 2015. Publicity created around the event was an important component of the project.
Shafic Gawhari, CEO of The Moby Group, said: “The publicity and pride shown in the women’s game is key in promoting football for women and girls. Football breaks barriers and brings people together. Promoting football, including women’s football, is a form of social investment. The women’s game is still in its infancy in Afghanistan. Yet, the passion and drive made this a memorable event in Kabul.”
Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF) believes in the power of sport as a tool for social development and encouraging cross-border exchange of ideas, promoting peace and development. Established in Beijing in 1982, CSCLF’s mission is to promote diplomacy, international relations and world peace.
CSCLF recently started a project to supply rural schools in China with better sports facilities to boost physical education of young people. Its other sports-related funds include the Kobe China Fund, Beckham Special Fund and the CSCLF-Champions Fund.
His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Abdulaziz supports many programmes related to social responsibility and capacity development. The programmes focus on helping children improve their skills and talents through activities such as youth camps and festivals.
Young people with special needs represent an important area of work for HRH Prince Sultan and sporting activities are a key component in the support programmes for these youths.