THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

AFC Dream Asia Foundation to create greater impact through enhanced funding allocation model

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s ambitions to maximise the power and passion of the beautiful game to provide much needed support to vulnerable communities across the Continent through the AFC Dream Asia Foundation was further strengthened today at the 3rd AFC Social Responsibility Committee meeting.

In his opening address at the meeting conducted virtually, Chairperson Zaw Zaw reiterated his gratitude to the AFC, its Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) for their unity, dedication and leadership in assisting and empowering communities in need, particularly during these challenging times.

Outlining the AFC’s desire to enhance its social responsibility programmes across Asia, the Committee examined the existing funding allocation framework of the AFC Champions League 2022 Competition Regulations and the AFC Asian Cup Organising Association Agreement.

Under the current regulations, the Champion and runner-up of the AFC Champions League 2022 are required to allocate 5% of their prize monies to the AFC Dream Asia Foundation to fund social responsibility activities proposed by the clubs.

Similarly, under the AFC Asian Cup Organising Association Agreement, the hosts of Asia’s flagship national teams’ competition are required to provide the AFC with 10% of ticket sales revenue for the purposes of funding the AFC’s Corporate Social programme.

As part of efforts to ensure a fair distribution of funds to the AFC MAs and RAs and to facilitate greater foresight in planning, the Committee approved the recommendation to withhold 5% of the prize money from these respective ‘AFC Competitions’ and have these funds transferred to the AFC Dream Asia Foundation to expand the reach and impact of the AFC’s social responsibility efforts.

The proposal will now be recommended to the AFC Competitions Committee for its approval and will be submitted to the AFC Executive Committee for ratification before coming into effect.

Additionally, the Committee was also informed of the recently appointed AFC Dream Asia Foundation Founding Trustees, and members expressed their confidence in the capabilities of the distinguished Trustees to elevate the delivery of the programmes under the Foundation.

Members were also pleased to note the impressive strides made in the area of protecting the wellbeing of children and youth through the impending launch of the first-ever AFC Child Safeguarding Policy, which is currently in its final stages.

Meanwhile, the collaborative social responsibility efforts and ongoing partnerships between the AFC and the Local Organising Committees for both the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023™ and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ were also introduced.

The Committee underlined its support towards leveraging on the world-class competitions to deliver more meaningful programmes that will leave a lasting legacy in the identified territories.

Finally, a full activity report covering the period since the previous meeting as well as those planned in the pipeline was also presented to the members, who were unanimous in their praise of the depth and breadth of the profound programmes that continue to create positive and purposeful outcomes across the Continent.

(AFC)