Fars FA and Vision Asia officials met in Shiraz in August, 2008 to launch Project Fars.

Project Fars, with its grassroots development and thriving provincial league, reflects the overall success of Vision Iran as a viable programme to develop football in the country.

Although Iran has one of the best national teams in Asia, there is still a need to take development to the regions and cities, where focused programmes can help to produce even more talented youngsters.

Project Fars, one of four regions that are taking part in Vision Iran, has already launched its Fars Provincial League, organised by the Fars Football Association.

The league is one of the important requirements of Vision Asia, the AFC’s continent-wide project to lift the standard of football at all levels.

Vision Asia is also the umbrella project to Vision Iran and similar programmes in other countries.

The FPL is already several weeks old and is giving the leading players from the region the chance to compete in a professionally organised tournament while representing their clubs in a home and away format.

Other Vision Iran projects are in Hamedan, Qazvin and Isfahan.