KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that efforts to strengthen football across the region must focus on youth development, particularly among underprivileged groups in both urban and rural areas.
He said football has long been a unifying force for the people and serves as a platform for nurturing future ASEAN leaders.
“We support football as the people’s game — a game for the youth. It is a highly popular sport and remains a key avenue for ASEAN to develop new leaders through exposure and training,” he said.
Anwar said this at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ASEAN and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) held in the capital on Sunday (Oct 26).
The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for his continued support and encouragement in advancing football development in the region.
“FIFA brings vast expertise and experience. This partnership is crucial to help young people — especially those from less privileged backgrounds in urban, rural and remote areas to gain the same opportunities and motivation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Infantino said the new MoU involves all 11 ASEAN member countries and is built upon three key principles that strengthen regional friendship.
“This MoU reinforces our cooperation based on key principles of integrity in the game, creating a safe and secure environment, and promoting education through football,” he said. – TVS
