AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Mr. A R Khaleel, Member, AFC Social Responsibility and Chairman of I-League Committee welcomed the delegates of the AFC-AFDP Dream Asia CSR Seminar, hosted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and supported by  Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Asian Football Development Programme (AFDP) Official Partner PepsiCo at the Capital on Thursday (September 26, 2013).

“I am a firm believer and advocate of Social Responsibility in Football,” Mr. Khaleel said in his address.

“CSR is becoming a growing focus here is India with the recent passing of a new Bill where 2% of companies’ net profit will be committed towards CSR.

“It is therefore a crucial time that we sit together and decide how we activate ‘football conscience’ and discuss how the private and public sectors work together to contribute to spur positive changes through football in the South & Central Region of Asia.”

“AIFF’s CSR programme is very good. The goals are very clear, and with Grassroots paving the way it is surely heading in the right direction. India can be an international leader of CSR in football in the coming years,” Dr. Michele Cox, Director of Development Programme & Marketing, Asian Football Development Programme (AFDP) – a Jordan based foundation also chaired and founded by AFC Social Responsibility Chairman HRH and FIFA Vice President Asia Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein) told www.the-aiff.com.

Mr. Urs Zanitti, CEO AFDP echoed Cox: “It’s amazing to see all these NGO’s who have been doing an excellent job over the years. Now AIFF is assuming a strong role in CSR, and linking both together it can be a powerful tool for football development in India.”

The two-day Course which aims at promoting CSR in football in Asia, particularly the AFC Dream Asia 10 year CSR Strategy, has participation of international experts from UEFA, West Ham United, The British Council, World Vision, Royal DSM, Global Alliance for Nutrition and streetfootballworld.

AIFF Grassroots Manager Mr. Suvrat Thatte presented AIFF’s vision for Social Development through football.

“AIFF would like to reinforce the need for a strong Social Responsibility which utilizes the power of football to act as a catalyst for a sustainable and positive social change in the society,” Thatte addressed.

“AIFF is committed to Social Responsibility working with internal and external stakeholders in the sport,” he added. 

A few case studies were put up highlighting CSR at the football association level in India.

Shivam, an 18-year old student who is under the umbrella of Magic Bus, a NGO which is also one of AFDP’s partners, shared his journey from an ‘awara’ (vagabond) to an aspirant footballer.

“It’s amazing how my life has changed from an 'awara' who was essentially doing nothing with his life to a responsible boy who along with dreaming to become a footballer is a better human being too,” said Shivam.

“I have guided my friends, most taking to drugs, to follow the right path and do something in life. Now I have respect in my society, an aim to fulfill, added the Delhite.

Pinky, a 12-year old girl associated with Slum Soccer, another NGO, chronicled her journey.

“My father owns a tea stall in Delhi and my mother is a maid in the society we live in. For me to dream big was impossible. I loved played football but never even dreamt of doing anything constructive with it, until Slum Soccer happened in my life,” she narrated.

Taking a cue from this inspiring story I-League CEO Sunando Dhar, who was representing AIFF at the Seminar, said while intruding himself, “I really hope aspiring footballers with such inspiring stories like that of Shivam will play the I-League someday.”

“Talent can be unearthed from the deepest pockets. India is such a huge country and there is a lot of talent,” India Senior Pro Gouramangi Singh told www.the-aiff.com.    

“You just need to tap them. Such NGO’s are doing a great job and aspiring footballers who do not find the platform or don’t know about them are being tapped through these NGO’s.” the veteran stopper-back added.

Among the activities of the day, Ms Mathilde Forslund, Advocacy Manager, Social Responsibility Department AFC presented the Dream Asia 10 Year CSR Strategy giving an insight on programmes at football confederation level and AFC programmes, while Mr. Peter Gillieron, UEFA Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee (chairman), shared UEFA’s CSR Strategy.

Mr. Grenville Hopkinson focused on the importance of AFC Child Nutrition Campaign stressing on the Campaign at regional and national level, and commercial engagement with roles of MAs and NGOs.