‘AFC Grassroots Day’ on its 5th Consecutive year witnessed 60% increase in participation.

by Nancy Singh May 17, 2017

16th May Tuesday, Mumbai: AFC Grassroots day is celebrated on 15th May every year, a day to commemorate the spirit of development of football from the basic level i.e., children by the Asian Football Confederation. It is a concept to strengthen and encourage footballing activities from the base. Grassroots is a practice to give every child an opportunity to learn to play football.

The importance of the concept lies not only in the promotion and development of but aiming to lead a healthy lifestyle by adapting the structural process of sports; which leads to overall development of the child. It promotes a healthy lifestyle and fosters positive characteristics as they learn to embrace the spirit of fair play. Grassroots football supports the creation of the best environment for children to play football and to develop and nurture their skills. In Asia, 16.5 million under-5 children are overweight and obese, this number is expected to rise to 23.1 million by 2025. It can be combatted with a healthy and active lifestyle participating in exercise and sport.

On 15th May’2017, numerous organisations stretched their hands towards the betterment of the quality of the game by extending support to sensitive topics like disability football, amateur game and other social norms. AFC President Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa’s message on celebration of AFC Grassroots Day for the fifth consecutive year mentioned “AFC should take immense pride in the fact that participation has increased by around 60% for the second consecutive year to today’s record number of people of all backgrounds and abilities celebrating the AFC Grassroots Football Day.”

“The AFC will continue to assist its Member Associations to implement vibrant and inclusive grassroots activities throughout the continent. Looking ahead, our Grassroots Panel will continue to work closely with our MAs and we will also implement the AFC Grassroots Charter in the coming months.” All India Football Federation (AIFF) with in sync with the AFC grassroots principles implements the change of expanding to all categories, age groups and genders, the expanded concept of Grassroots Football has been divided into various sub-categories – Children’s Football (6-12 years), Youth Football (13-19 years), Amateur Football (20+ years), Veteran’s Football (40+ years).

Grassroots programme initiates exchange of humanitarian values on the ground of sport with taking up campaigns like respecting opponents, Promoting girls football. Football Counter fully supports grassroots football activities as way to engage the future of all fields in healthy engagement of sports and development.