Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Zurich: Afghanistan has been presented the 2013 FIFA Fair Play award in recognition of the Central Asian nation’s remarkable achievements in developing football despite continuing to struggle with the legacy of decades of civil upheaval.
In a stellar year for one of the continent’s most impoverished nations, Afghanistan created history in September they defeated back-to-back champions and South Asian powerhouse India to win the 2013 SAFF Championship and claim regional honours for the first time having previously shown their potential by finishing top of their group undefeated to qualify for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup back in March.
Also in 2013, the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) also oversaw a highly successful running of the second edition of the Afghan Premier League while international football returned to Afghanistan for the first time in nearly ten years as the national team defeated Pakistan 3-0 in an international friendly in Kabul.
The AFF also made massive strides in the area of football development with a number of grassroots programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting the game for women and girls exemplifying Afghanistan’s efforts in reviving a football infrastructure which had been decimated during the years of conflict.
AFF President Karim Keramuddin (pictured) received the 2013 FIFA Fair Play award from FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination adviser Tokyo Sexwale at the at the FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich on Monday
“Afghanistan is inspiring social change and breaking down barriers every day,” said South African politician and anti-apartheid activist Sexwale.
“Against all odds, the winner of the 2013 FIFA Fair Play Award has upheld this spirit of courage and solidarity through the after-effects of war, disorder and conflict.
“It takes a great amount of dedication and hard work to develop football at grassroots level, to build infrastructure for the game so that it can grow, and to nurture a national league in the midst of years of violence and destruction. But that is just what this remarkable and worthy winner has achieved.”
Afghanistan is the third consecutive Asian winner of the FIFA Fair Play award following last year’s recipients Uzbekistan and 2011 winners the Japan Football Association.
Photo: AFP