Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: More AFC Member Associations have reported on their events held in conjunction with AFC Grassroots Football Day which fell on May 15.
Several countries embraced AFC Grassroots Football Day on May 15, while others celebrated the event when their respective activities allowed.
Some 31 Member Associations had pledged to mark AFC Grassroots Football Day, double the number of nations celebrating in 2013 when the auspicious day was incepted, and below is the second round-up of some of the events held throughout the continent.
Japan
There were various football festivals all over Japan. In Goto, Nagasaki prefecture, the JFA Kids Soccer Festival was held on 16 May. There are several small islands in Goto, and more than 140 U-10 kids including girls and first-time players from other islands such as Shinkamigoto joined the festival.
The event was held according to the FIFA Grassroots Festival format where the participants experienced small-sided games and skill stations. For this event, the Nagasaki Football Association worked closely with the Goto Football Association and high-school volunteers. On this occasion, JFA General Secretary Hara Hiromi visited the venue to enjoy the festival together with the participants.
There were other football festivals celebrating AFC Grassroots Football Day in Saga and Osaka on May 17. Forty-seven Japanese local football associations will have had 600 local football festivals which are expected to welcome 100,000 players from now until March 2016.
DPR Korea
A total of 165 girls aged between nine and 12 took part in a festival at the Pyongyang International Football School on May 15. Thirty coaches, 30 parents, seven provincial FAs’ officials and five members of the media were also at the event.
Exhibition games between teams from the school, technical exercises and small-sided games lined the festival which was opened by DPR Korea Football Association General Secretary Kim Jong Man.
Maldives
Some 300 kids and 30 coaches participated in a festival in the Maldives. MA Normalisation Committee Chairman Mohamed Shaweed and Mayor of Addu City Abdullah Sodhig kicked off the event. Bassaam Adheel Jaleel, General Secretary of the MA Normalisation Committee and Ali Umar, also of the Normalisation Committee, were also present at the event.
The festival consisted of basic techniques workshops and opportunities to play the game. A one-day seminar for coaches was held as well.
Qatar
AFC Grassroots Football Day was celebrated in Qatar by 340 boys of six to eight years of age and was organised after a ceremony by Qatar FA to reward Qatari clubs who had done a good job developing grassroots during the season 2014 /2015.
Myanmar
Myanmar celebrated AFC Grassroots Football Day in Yangon on May 10 with 400 students from 10 townships taking part along with 60 coaches, some of whom were film actors and physical education teachers.
Minister for Social and Sport Affairs from the Yangon Regional Government U Than Nyunt, Myanmar Football Federation Vice President Zaw Win Naing and General Secretary Tin Aung graced the festival with their presence.
The festival was closed with a ball donation ceremony where 20 balls were given to each township.
Click here for the first round-up of AFC Grassroots Football Day events
Photo: DPR Korea Football Association