AIPS ASIA News:

The commitment of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Member Associations (MAs) to ensure football remains the Continent’s number one sport as outlined in the Confederation’s Vision was celebrated today at the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023.

Against the breathtaking backdrop of Kyung Hee University’s Grand Peace Palace, the remarkable efforts of the AFC MAs to establish lifelong pathways for people of all ages and abilities to develop a passion for the beautiful game was cast in the spotlight.
 
Three MAs were presented with the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots with Football Australia claiming its second successive Gold accolade, as the All India Football Federation was upgraded from its Bronze honour last year to clinch the Silver prize whilst Bronze was presented to the Vietnam Football Federation.
 
AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football – Gold
 
Football Australia
 
Football Australia has clinched this prestigious award for the third time – the first was in 2016 in the Inspiring grassroots category before being bestowed with the Gold honour again at last year’s AFC Annual Awards Doha 2022.
 
The MA was acknowledged for their efforts in establishing reliable data collection and analysis with the impact of the ‘Club Changer’ Programme identified as a Global Leading Innovative Project.
 
The clear evidence of corporate support to drive the growth of the grassroots game, particularly in the areas of commercial, social media and professional football was also lauded, with the record-setting Semi-final display by the Matildas at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australia & New Zealand 2023 providing a fine example of the progress of the grassroots movement across the country.

AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football – Silver
 
All India Football Federation (AIFF)
 
Since the preceding AFC Annual Awards in Doha last year, when it was handed the Bronze award, the AIFF has been endorsed with a Silver-level membership under the AFC Grassroots Charter.
 
The AIFF has been credited for its strong commitment towards grassroots development and establishing long-term sustainable programmes, facilitating regional involvement, and strong partnerships with various stakeholders across the country.
 
The Federation’s Blue Cubs initiative, which aims to engage an impressive 35 million children by 2026, has been earmarked as a game-changer for football in India as it includes several crucial elements, ranging from establishing development centres and hosting festivals to expanding the reach of the game to schools and remote villages through active collaboration with major stakeholders such as Indian Super League clubs, local governing bodies and nonprofitable organisations.
 
At the same time, the AIFF’s commitment towards expanding the length and breadth of its competitions across the subcontinent has also been paying dividends with more Indian age-group sides featuring in the AFC’s competitions in recent years.
 
AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football – Bronze
 
Vietnam Football Federation (VFF)
 
The VFF has sealed its second Grassroots Football award – their previous one came in 2015 – after putting in place several landmark initiatives to enhance the growth of the beautiful game.
 
The large-scale efforts of the VFF to increase participation across various age groups and the establishment of numerous competitions as well as its wide-ranging special projects, which include its Continental-renowned Football for All in Vietnam initiative, have been instrumental in cultivating a life-long passion for the game across the Southeast Asian nation.
 
The VFF has also signalled its ambitions to forge fruitful partnerships with leading organisations to advance its grassroots game and its long-standing partnership with the Football Association of Norway has served as a significant driver for success.
 
Additionally, the Federation has been equally committed to expanding the game’s social impact, aligning its programmes with social responsibility projects, including supporting the SOS Children’s Villages and through the organisation of the National Workers’ Football Championship.
 
For the full list of winners, please visit the-AFC.com.

Images from the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 are available to the media at photos.the-afc.com with the following credentials: Username: aaa23media and Password: Aaa2023media

Courtesy AFC