KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and world football governing body FIFA have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding on regional football development.
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn inked the agreement witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the 2025 ASEAN Chair.
Anwar stated that the partnership reflects a shared vision of empowering the next generation through sports.
He confirmed ASEAN leaders’ full commitment to supporting football across the region’s nearly 700 million people.
The Prime Minister expressed exceptional gratitude for FIFA’s encouragement and support in building a new core of leaders.
He emphasised the importance of sharing expertise with youth from poorer segments, urban areas, and rural heartlands.
FIFA and ASEAN initially signed a five-year MoU in 2019 in Bangkok focusing on football as a catalyst for social development.
Their collaboration has promoted healthy lifestyles and sports integrity while combating match manipulation across Southeast Asia.
The organisations extended their partnership in 2023 in Chiang Mai to include gender equality and climate change initiatives.
Current cooperation includes developing climate-resilient football infrastructure and climate-proof sports programmes.
Infantino met with Anwar yesterday before the official signing ceremony.
He launched a mini-pitch at Sri Kelana Primary School under the FIFA Arena project creating small playing surfaces for children worldwide.
The project aims to create over 1,000 new small-sized football pitches globally for youth development. – Bernama
