AFC raises awareness of disability football at Annual Awards

The nominees for the AFC Player of the Year and AFC Women’s Player of the Year Awards, Omar Abdulrahman (UAE), Hammadi Ahmed Aldeeaa (IRQ), Wu Lei (CHN), Lisa de Vanna (AUS), Caitlin Foord (AUS) and Tan Ruyin (CHN) attended the event in the United Arab Emirates capital.

Omar Abdulrahman said: “Football is about hope and joy and it is a real pleasure to see the bright smiles on the kids’ faces here. I know how special these kinds of moments are, for both me and the children here.

“Asia is a special continent where football can have a big social impact. The AFC is doing a great job with social responsibility events like this.”

Chairman of the AFC Social Responsibility Committee Ahmed Eid said: “Football is a powerful tool for social development and social responsibility is a key element of the AFC’s mission statement. We have the power to make a difference in many parts of Asia.

“I would like to thank the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the UAE Ministry of Health and the Disabled Sports Federation, and especially the UAE Football Association for the beautiful partnership which has made this event possible.

“But the true stars today are the children and their families. Football is for all and events like this are an important way to raise awareness and remind people of that.”