Brunei kicks off Grassroots Football Month celebration

Brunei Muara was the first district to experience the event which was held at the Jerudong International School with three more festivals to follow to complete the celebration of Grassroots Football Month. 

The young participants were taught different skill activities and small-sided games were organised for them to execute the newly acquired skills. 

National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (NFABD) Vice President Pehin Dato Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar and General Secretary Muhd Zamri Dato Hamdani were at the festival to give their support. 

More than 300 parents were also on site providing further encouragement for the children to enjoy the sport and gain early appreciation of the game. 

The next stop for the grassroots festival will be at Kulau Belait on May 11, followed by a May-18 event in Tutong which has been earmarked to celebrate AFC Grassroots Day which falls on May 15. The NFABD Grassroots Month will end with a festival in Temburong on May 25. 

“It was really great to see so many people here and the turnout was totally unexpected,” said NFABD Technical Director Mike Wong. “The NFABD thanks all who made it possible. 

“The President of NFABD has always encouraged people from all sections of society to take part in the beautiful game stressing that football is for all, regardless of the different playing levels. 

“And grassroots festivals will play an important role in the development of the game in the country.” 

Brunei along with other AFC Member Associations are encouragingly taking their own grassroots initiatives spurred by the AFC's Grassroots Year which was observed in 2013.  

The AFC's focus on grassroots encourages its Member Associations to organise their own activities to promote and emphasise that football is accessible and socially beneficial to everyone and that it provides a strong foundation that will allow children to someday progress to the elite level. 

Photo: NFABD