Tajikistan holds second grassroots festival

A total of 300 children, including 80 girls, mostly under 12 years of age, from the areas of Kumsangir, Rumi, Jilikul and Panj, attended the festival held at the Central Stadium in Qumsangir.  

Under the guidance of coaches, the kids participated in a variety of recreational programmes including football skills and games.  

During the opening ceremony, Head of Tajikistan Football Federation Youth Department Anvar Mirzoyev said: “The aim of the festival is not only bringing up good players, but at the same time to inspire children into the sport, to keep them away from bad habits, to encourage healthy lifestyles and to develop both physical, moral and volitional qualities.” 

After the official opening speeches the participants demonstrated their love for the game. The festival began with a dynamic warm-up offering the participants an exciting and fun football environment.  

Then the football field was divided into sixteen sectors and the boys and girls were divided into groups, each of which received a coach.  

As the kids rotated through the stations, they learned new football skills including juggling, dribbling, precision passing, shots on goal and speed-running. 

All the children who participated in the festival were given footballs to encourage further interest and development in the sport. 

The festival was the second installment in a series of festivals which will be held across the country throughout the year. 

Tajikistan 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 encouraged 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: TFF