The football body’s social development initiative has gone by leaps and bounds with its various youth empowering programmes around the continent.
From the currently progressing Midnight Football in Malaysia to the School Challenge running side-by-side with the AFC Asian Cup in January in Qatar to the Programme Support projects in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Nepal -- AFC is touching people’s lives more and more as the days go by.
Despite the racial, cultural and geographical diversities witnessed in all these projects, there is the power of football (or futsal for that matter) that is the unifying factor that puts all the other development activities in the project in perspective as a wholesome package necessary to bring about overall change in the youngsters.
Speaking of change, AFC is beginning to see quite some breakthroughs through its work by the newly re-incepted Social Responsibility Department helmed by Director Ingill Ra who is assisted by Administrator Azizah Abdullah, which oversees the AFC Dream Asia initiative.
Since the creation of the Department and the inception of Dream Asia under the able leadership of AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam, the AFC has supported several programmes and one of the highlights is the Midnight Football proramme, which is aimed at taking unguided kids 'off the street, on the ball.'
Launched in September last year and to conclude end of this month, the project has pioneered in Malaysia, home of the AFC which is hoping the programme will be emulated by the other member associations.
Midnight Football has been hailed by many parties as the first of its kind in Malaysia and perhaps in Asia.
And the positive change that has occurred in the lives of the youths varies just like their backgrounds.
Some of them were school “kick-outs” after flouting disciplinary rules but after joining Midnight Football, turned around completely and were reaccepted by their schools with renewed dedication to their studies.
Some others were jobless but now they are in jobs after recapturing their lost self esteems.
Yet others were not-so-respectful members of their families but now, they have realised that the families are the very first avenue of contribution they should make for successes in all other areas of life start with success at home.
A few of the boys were juvenile delinquents legally committed to reform school but reform was what they did throughout the eight months they were with the programme.
One of the reform school inmates, along with one of the school kick-outs, even became the project’s best participants who were rewarded by the AFC with a ticket to the AFC’s grand gala, the Annual Awards 2010, and a visit to none other than AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam at AFC headquarters.
What better evidence is there that attests to the efficacy and effectiveness of Midnight Football than the testimonies of the participants themselves?
For this, AFC has compiled the following sentiments of the Midnight Football boys after undergoing almost all of the activities including the most recent ones by AFC’s partner NGOs Prostar Club and Global Peace Association:
Muhammad Farhan Mohd Radzi
This is the best camp in Midnight Football I've joined. For the first time, my eyes are dripping. Because of this camp, I’m willing to shave my hair. This camp teaches me a lot about preparation for the future – for example, how to work together, understanding my friend’s feeling, appreciating the sacrifices of a person, and respect for others.
Muhd Amirullah Mohd Zaki
I have learned about seriousness in doing something. Team work is very important. We must think positively to be a good leader. The problem for me is my shyness. The other challenge is to solve problems rationally. I used to hurt my parents’ and siblings’ hearts all the time. But now I have ambitions to be an architect and successful businessman and to help my family live happily.
Muhammad Fahmi Rosmin
I’ve learned a lot of good things such as never giving up and helping other people. My most important lesson is -- my parents and friends are the most important persons in my life.
Muhammad Nazri
I’m so happy because I’ve joined this camp because this camp has changed me to be a better person. I’ve learned the meaning of love and friendship. After this, I will respect my parents and friends.
Saechul Anam Ngadi
This camp has taught me to never give up for the good of the world and the hereafter. The most important persons in my life are my parents. Without them, I am nothing.
Muhd Farris Mohd Rashid
I’ve learned something new and strengthened my friendships. In addition, I can apply what I have learned in my daily life. The mission for me now is to be successful in my life. The other one is to study hard and to make my parents proud with me. That’s my promise!
Muhammad Akmal Mohd Zaki
In this camp, I’ve learned to never give up, don’t look down on others, and always help other people. The important persons in my life are my parents.
Mohd Shafarizal Abdullah
This camp gives me more benefits because it instills moral values in me. I am now successful in expressing my hidden feelings to a friend whom I trust. The important persons to me are my parents especially my mother because she gave birth to me. In this camp, I have learned that I can change my fate, God willing.
Muhammad Aqashah Mohd Zaid
I have learned about teamwork, how to be a good and innovative leader, and support my team. I want to help my father make a living. God willing, I will become an international footballer.
M. Zuraide Ramli
I’ve learned that we shouldn’t be selfish because nothing last forever -- maybe one day, we will have problems and look for someone for help. We cannot insult other people in distress and disability. I have learned to appreciate my mother because without her I am nothing.
Haszmel Hurairi
I have learned to work together in a team. I also now want to apologise to my families and to all for all the trouble I’ve caused.
Mohd Azimie Ahmad
This camp gives me motivation and it’s very good. The most important persons to me are my parents.
Muhammad Ezry Ikmal
I know now that I can build my self-esteem to dare to give opinions and don’t give up. I have learned how to work in a team, never give up and be more disciplined. I want to say that I love my family because they always support everything I do.
Zulhelmi Mohd Khalid
These camps give me motivation and teach how to change myself. I have learned the meaning of life and to appreciate something. Now I always give the best to my friends. I give them encouragement to share their problems and express their feelings.
Muhamad Badrie Zainudin
I have learned how to work in a team. I want to express my feeling towards my family because they have sacrificed much for me. I never took care of my family. I was so bad…but now I have changed.
Muhammad Azizi Mohd Yatim
This camp has helped me make my friendships closer. I have also learned to overcome my problem which is to wake up in the morning. I realise now that without my family, I can’t grow up happily.
Ahmad Haziq Ahmad Kamili
I have learned a new thing for myself which is about team work and never giving up. The challenge for me now is to be successful in life, study hard and make my parents proud of me.
Mohd Aznam Ghazali
Before this, I didn’t know how to be independent and help others. After joining this programme, I know everything about this. I have learned about working together and helping people who need help.
M. Mustaqin Samsudin
I have got a lot that teaches me the meaning of life and tests to our patience. I have learned to not be selfish. Maybe my daily life will be perfect if I practise this value. I appreciate my parents because they have sacrificed much for me.
Mohd Amirul Hizad
There are many things that have I learned in this camp such as working together in a team, never giving up and never underestimating myself. I will apply these values in me.
Amarul Hisham Jamil
This camp instills in me positive values. I will help the poor and disabled people. My mother is very important to me because without her love, I cannot be a good son. Thanks to the AFC and the others because without them, I wouldn’t have changed.
Mohammad Shahfiq Mohammad Shahref
I have learned the meaning of hard and easy. Before this, I never knew the meaning of hard and easy. I understand now teamwork with a friend.
Shahrul Fitri Mohd Salleh
I have learned the meaning of life, teamwork and know the difference between good and bad. I can now pass the difficult barriers and never give up doing it. I also can tell my friends about my feelings in a principled manner.
Hazrul Syafiq
I’ve realised that I shouldn’t judge people before knowing them. We should be grateful with what we have. We must be patient with all the obstacles in our lives. I have learned how to evaluate something before I do it. I also know how to be open minded and try to practise good values in my daily life. The challenge for me is to continue with my life in this world. Every second, every minute, every hour and every day gives me a great challenge in living in this world that’s full of problems. I admit that all these are very difficult and painful but I can do it with good values inculcated in my heart. I will continue to struggle because of the spirit that my parents and friends give to me. Here, I want to say something that my parents are everything to me. Without your love, I cannot understand everything.
Muhd Khairull Ikhwan Rahim
We must continue to live because there is wisdom in disguise in any problems. We cannot quickly give up because it doesn’t mean we have failed forever. Even if we are rich, we must not forget those people below us because maybe someday we will fall. I have learned a lot about life and the good purpose of money, even if it’s 10 cents. I will practise these in my life and will not waste this life because life is only temporary. If we fail, we must try to ‘fight back’. One day, we will succeed.
Mohd Mustafa Mat Nayan
I’ve learned the meaning of life and good or bad. I also know how to work together in a team. I want to say that I really love my family because they sacrifice a lot for me and my future.
Rashid Tuah Awang Abu
Today I can learn new things like cooperating with each other and helping people. We shouldn’t think that we already live the perfect life. We have many weaknesses to overcome. Nowadays people think 10 cents no have value but actually they do. I hope I will change because I want to show to my parents that I have changed.
Steven Mariay Susay
We should have good attitudes and good talents. In this camp, I’ve learned to be a good leader, to appreciate 10 cents, help people and understand their suffering. Starting from today, we must help those people who need help like children in Gaza and Africa.
- Muhammad Yuzam Yusa