The Asian Football Development Project (AFDP) announced today its partnership with Football United from University of New South Wales (UNSW) to support its development program in Myanmar.
Football United is a flagship health promotion program of School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW in Sydney, Australia. The Football United mission is founded on a community development, determinants-based health promotion and positive social change approach. With AFDP’s support, Football United will work together with Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) to develop, strengthen and support Red Cross branches and their youth volunteers addressing constructive used of sport for development ideology for better health and stronger social capital in their local community.
“Football United crafts change-making programs that employ youth’s love for football to benefit their social growth and well-being, this is a common goal we both share and we hope this collaboration will maximize impact and reach out to a larger number of young players in Myanmar,” said HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Founder and Chairman of AFDP and FIFA Vice President representing Asia.
Football United founder and CEO Dr Anne Bunde-Birouste said “Football United was founded in Australia to foster positive youth development using the magic of the beautiful global game of football. We are thrilled to be able to launch the program here in Myanmar, where local enthusiasm and support is fantastic. The AFDP’s support is precious – we could not have gone ahead without it.”
With additional support from University of New South Wales, Football United is implementing the ‘Sport for Development’ program in partnership with MRCS. As an initial step, a pilot project has been implemented in Mawlamyine and preparations are underway to expand the pilot project in Yangon, former capital of Myanmar.
The AFDP, launched in Jordan in January 2012, focuses its needs-based support on promoting social development through football across Asia, with a special emphasis on grassroots and youth development, advancing women’s football and empowering women, as well as protecting and developing the game with the support of its Official Partner PepsiCo.