How can football have an impact on hunger? The footballers in Asia have an answer.
Starting in September, FAO and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will be teaming up again to raise funds for community projects to eradicate hunger. This follows the success of last year’s campaign where AFC and FAO raised over US$ 400 000 to finance 42 new projects to help small-scale farmers across Asia.
This year, the Asian Football Confederation contributes to the cause again by dedicating matches taking place in the Championship League knock-out stage, stretching over two months this fall. Eight clubs from six countries are participating; Ulsan Hyundai (Korea Republic), Sepahan (Iran), Guangzhou Evergrande (China), Adelaide United (Australia), Al Ahli, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad (all Saudi Arabia) and Bunyodkor from Uzbekistan.
Click here for the list of matches.
“The AFC and Asian football is fully behind the Asian Football against Hunger Campaign and we are proud to join hands with the Food and Agricultural Organisation in raising awareness about the importance of fighting hunger,” stated AFC Acting President Zhang Jilong. “For this purpose, the AFC is mobilizing one of Asian football’s biggest sporting platforms, the AFC Champions League Knockout Stage, and I am confident that we will send a resounding message on chronic hunger through our premier club competition.
“The AFC has a rich and proud history of supporting noble causes and our focus will be on making the Asian Football against Hunger Campaign a great success. It’s fantastic that the AFC, the clubs and the players have decided to stand up and use that power,” said Hiroyuki Konuma , Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. “They can do so much to raise awareness, stir political will, and bring much-needed resources to help the hungry in Asia – where more than half of the worlds’ hungry live.”
The campaign started in 2011 and recorded a notable success collecting over US$ 400 000. The funds are financing 42 projects across Asia and changing the lives of people like Surinder Singh, a leprosy sufferer who started an aquaculture business. Or, K.V. Leelasekara, a humble rice farmer whose life was transformed by a low-tech solar oven for drying herbs for re-sale.
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