AFC, AFDP Sign Collaboration Agreement

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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AFC Acting President Zhang Jilong and FIFA Vice-President HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein on Friday signed a Collaboration Agreement between AFC and the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP). 

Jilong and HRH Prince Ali inked the agreement following a presentation to the AFC Executive Committee and its approval of the Amman-based AFDP, a non-profit organisation that aims to provide effective needs based assistance to all Asian national and regional associations and affiliates in a fair and transparent manner. 

The agreement serves to bring both AFC and AFDP to “join forces” and “further develop football” in youth and grassroots development, women’s football, social football as well as in protecting and developing the game in Asia. The agreement also focuses on promoting cooperation and friendly relations between AFC and AFDP in the best interest of the game in Asia. 

“On behalf of AFC, I am very happy to sign this agreement of collaboration with AFDP. It is a great initiative that will go a long way in helping AFC’s Member Associations,” said Jilong. 

“When the AFDP was presented today to the AFC Executive Committee, several members expressed their keen interest in the project and endorsed it. This goes to show how AFDP can complement AFC’s development efforts and how we can work together for the greater good of Asian football,” added the AFC Acting President. 

“I would like to thank HRH Prince Ali for launching a football NGO knowing that many Asian countries need support to develop the game.” 

HRH Prince Ali said: “As a newly-formed football NGO, it is essential for AFDP to cooperate closely with AFC in order to maximize the benefit to Asian member associations and ensure synergy at all levels.” 

One key area of cooperation between AFDP and AFC will be the engagement in common projects and events such as roundtable discussions on various topics related to the development of the game in Asia. 

“I commend AFC for embracing AFDP’s vision and objectives in the best interest of the game in Asia,” HRH Prince Ali added. 

AFDP has launched its first pilot project in the Philippines’ Calabma city by supporting a grassroots festival in which more than 1000 boys and girls participated.