Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Nanjing: AFC, Chinese Football Association (CFA) and China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF) joined hands to raise awareness about women’s empowerment through a three-day festival for underprivileged girls on Wednesday.
The three organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see 40 underprivileged girls learn about life of harmony, mutual understanding and social cohesion during the festival starting on Thursday.
CSCLF Deputy General Secretary Li Xikuai underlined his organisation’s efforts in helping the community through sports saying CSCLF is involved heavily with CFA in social responsibility initiatives.
“We have already set up two football academies in collaboration with CFA and we use football as our main tool to help the society,” he said.
“It’s our privilege to work with AFC and CFA in this noble cause and I hope this festival will help the underprivileged girls lead a healthy life.”
CFA Vice-President Lin Xioahua listed the association’s long partnership with CSCLF and vowed to continue in the future.
“We (CFA and CSCLF) have a long partnership. Jointly we have conducted social responsibility projects using football as a tool to reach out to underprivileged communities in China. CFA is excited to work with AFC in this event and committed to explore social responsibility activities in the future,” he said.
AFC Social Responsibility Department Director Ingill Ra said: “Under the leadership of Acting President Zhang Jilong, AFC has embarked on a new initiative in collaboration with CFA and SCLF to raise awareness about girl’s empowerment through football.”
Jiangsu Football Association General Secretary Wang Weizhong thanked all the organisers for hosting the event in conjunction with the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship.
“It’s a good chance for us to host the event on the sidelines of the AFC competition and I hope this will be a new beginning for the underprivileged girls,” he said.
The fest will be open on November 3 at 1300 hours at the Jiangsu Training Centre.