FA & Premier League Launch Afghan Partnership
The Prime Minister has announced a new partnership between The FA, the Premier League and their Afghan counterparts, designed to help the growth and development of Afghan football and the benefits it brings to communities across Afghanistan.
During his Christmas trip to meet troops currently serving in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister was joined by FA Ambassador Michael Owen and representatives from the Afghan Football Federation (AFF) and Afghan Premier League (APL).
They saw British and ANA troops enjoying a football session together and heard about the incredible impact football has already had in rebuilding communities across Afghanistan.
In recent years Afghan sport has demonstrated it can be a powerful force for good and has helped to create a sense of national unity across the country.
The new partnership will support all levels of Afghan football, from grassroots through to the Afghan Premier League and the Afghan national team.
It will also include support for women’s and youth football. At its heart will be a partnership between The FA, the Premier League, the AFF and the APL.
Together they will work to build Afghan capacity in football administration, training and education for the national and grassroots game.
The Prime Minister David Cameron said: ‘We often think of sport as just about a competition where you are either a winner or a loser, but it also has an amazing power to bring people together and unite communities for the benefit of all involved.’
‘That’s exactly what is happening with football in Afghanistan. The team’s victory in the South Asia Cup captured the imagination of millions and brought together Afghans of all ages, communities and beliefs demonstrating to the rest of the world the spirit of the Afghan people and the potential of this country as a whole.’
‘I’m proud that we are building on this to broaden our relationship with Afghanistan. This fantastic partnership between English and Afghan football organisations promises to develop Afghan football at every level and demonstrates our steadfast commitment to help build a peaceful and stable Afghanistan not just on the battlefield but on the pitch too.’
‘I look forward to seeing this co-operation inspire future generations from the national team to Afghan school girls.’
