Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: The Jordan Football Association has received 15,000 ultra durable balls to boost its grassroots football and social development activities thanks to the partnership between the AFC, One World Play Project and the Asian Football Development Project.
Some of the balls will be sent to Zaatari Refugees Camp on the Jordanian border where displaced children and youths will benefit by getting involved in structured football activities, thereby hopefully preventing them from unhealthy activities.
A two-full day event involving more than 1,000 boys and girls aged between five and 15 from urban and rural areas was launched at the Prince Hamzah Hall in Amman on December 15.
The event started with a grassroots football clinic conducted by the Jordan FA Grassroots Department coaches.
Former Real Madrid star and Spanish international Michel Salgado and General Motors West Asia representative Maurice Williams were also at the event and played with the children, who were intrigued by Salgado’s magical football skills.
Asian Football Development Project (AFDP) Board Member Hasan Bin Zeid, representing His Royal Highness Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, officially launched the balls donation.
He thanked the AFC, One World Play Project (OWPP) and AFDP partnership for donating the ultra durable balls which will benefit grassroots football development and social development in many Asian countries including Jordan.
OWPP Asia Director Stephen Sonderman congratulated the Jordan FA on receiving the balls and hoped they will be useful in many ways to develop football especially at the grassroots level.
Dr. Annathurai Ranganathan, Head of the AFC Social Responsibility Department, said Jordan FA is one the recipients of the excellent ball donation partnership between the AFC, AFDP and OWPP.
He also thanked General Motors for being actively involved in football development by bringing in football ambassadors to motivate children to take part in the beautiful game.
Salgado praised the AFC, AFDP and OWPP for the initiative and hoped that one day Asian countries will dominate football at all levels. He also stated his belief that Asia has a wonderful talent base and just needs more structured development at the grassroots level.
The delegation at the balls donation launch ceremony also visited three schools located in rural areas, namely the Pella School for Boys, Pella School for Girls and Al-Mashare’a School, where football clinics and games were organised with the donated balls.