Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: A plethora of events were held throughout Asia to celebrate the AFC Grassroots Football Day which was on Friday.
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 a round-up of some of the events held throughout the contient.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA) celebrated AFC Grassroots Football Day on Friday in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. 80 children enjoyed the programme whcih included football matches between the association's training centres.
Singapore
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) celebrated AFC Grassroots Football Day on Sunday by organising its second grassroots coaching course, with its two pilot Cubs’ Centres running grassroots sessions.
Coaches, children, parents, siblings and the participants of the Grassroots Coaching Course enjoyed a fun-filled Grassroots Football Day at Sembawang Primary School.
Uzbekistan
Approximately 250 boys and girls from the different regions of Uzbekistan attended a festival held on the artificial turf of the Uzbekistan Football Federation headquarters in Tashkent.
India
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) celebrated the AFC Grassroots Day with pomp and flair and started a total of eight Grassroots Leader Courses across India. The widespread outreach of the courses will see more than 200 Grassroots Coaches trained, which will help them to understand the AIFF Grassroots philosophy.
State Associations have also organised their respective festivals to help popularise the game of football amongst the youngsters, with the help of AIFF Grassroots Coaches.
I-League, ISL and 2nd Division I-League clubs also celebrated the auspicious day.