KUALA LUMPUR: Asean and world football governing body FIFA have renewed their memorandum of understanding on regional football development.
The MOU extension was signed on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit here on Sunday (Oct 26) by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
It was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as the 2025 Asean Chair.
In his brief remarks, Anwar said the partnership between Asean and FIFA reflects their shared vision of empowering the next generation through sports.
He said Asean leaders are fully committed to supporting football, the most popular sport in the region, which has a population of nearly 700 million people.
ALSO READ: Boosting football ecosystem main focus of meeting with FIFA president, says Anwar
"It is Asean’s priority to build a new core of leaders, providing them with exposure and training, and I am exceptionally thankful to FIFA for its encouragement and support.
"You have the expertise and the experience, and sharing these with the young, particularly those from poorer segments of society, urban youth and those in rural and heartland areas, enables them to receive the same encouragement, advantages and support,” he said.
FIFA and Asean first signed a five-year MOU in 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, pledging to work together to leverage football as a catalyst for social development, healthy lifestyles and sports integrity, particularly in combating match manipulation in the region.
The two organisations later extended the MOU in 2023 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to broaden the partnership beyond 2024 to include initiatives on gender equality and climate change, such as developing climate-resilient football infrastructure and climate-proof sports programmes.
Yesterday, Infantino met with Anwar.
He launched a mini-pitch at Sri Kelana Primary School under the FIFA Arena project, which aims to create over 1,000 new small-sized playing surfaces for the benefit of children worldwide. – Bernama
