Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ulaanbaatar: The AFC, Asian Football Development Project and One World Futbol Project have donated 5,200 ultra-durable balls to the Mongolian Football Federation.
Mongolia Minster of Education, Culture and Science Dr. Yondon Otgonbayar graced a ceremony at Ulaanbaatar Stadium recently to mark the launch of the distribution.
The Chevrolet-branded balls were delivered to the Mongolian Football Federation (MFF) and will be distributed to selected rural schools and NGOs working with grassroots and youth football in Mongolia. The balls will be distributed based on the size and the need of their respective programmes.
The ultra-durable One World Futbols do not require a pump and never deflate – even when punctured multiple times – making them ideal for playing football in all types of terrain and harsh environments.
AFC President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa expressed his pride at the AFC’s involvement with the initiative, stating that the programme has far-reaching effects in giving youngsters, even those in remote and underprivileged areas, a chance to play football and enjoy the game.
According to Shaikh Salman, the One World Futbol Project has done a remarkable job in helping develop the game in Asia by offering such a unique product, adding that the AFC’s Member Associations including Mongolia are benefitting greatly from it.
MFF President Ganbold Buyannemekh shared that the MFF are proud to know that they are one of the earliest Asian countries to receive the balls under the MoU between AFC, Asian Football Development Project (AFDP) and One World Futbol Project.
AFDP Chairman HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein said: “AFDP is delighted to be continuing its support to football in Mongolia together with our partners through the One World Futbol initiative but also through backing the Magic Ball grassroots championship for schoolchildren and the distribution of UEFA-donated balls. We hope to be able to take our support to all of Asia and help push the process of football development forward.”
The One World Futbol Project hopes that these joint efforts across Asia and with the relevant football bodies will bring the healing power of play to young people worldwide by making, selling and distributing the One World Futbols.
Collaborating with sponsors, organisations and individuals, the One World Futbol Project delivers balls to disadvantaged communities where play and sport are used to foster social change.
To date, the balls have reached more than 165 countries through the One World Futbol Project’s growing global network of organisations, bringing the empowering power of sport to an estimated 21 million young people worldwide.