In what is a big boost to football in the country, a grassroots football program ‘Play for Life’ attended by the Prince of Jordan, Ali Bin Hussein, kicked off yesterday.

Played on the artificial turf at Changlimithang and funded by Asian Football Development Project (AFDP), it targets 3,000 students, 100 students from 30 schools and 200 teachers from across the country.

AFDP provided grant of USD 70,000 to conduct the program across the country within a year along with 500 footballs.

Ugen Tsechup Dorji said Bhutan was among the 20 countries in Asia selected to be beneficiaries to this program under AFDP and the most important development in Bhutanese football is to concentrate on grassroots football and youth.

“To be able to initiate the objective of Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) with assistance from AFDP through intention to improve grassroots football is very apt,” he said. “It is an important day for BFF and through the program we assure that every bit of assistance that Bhutan get will be used in the best way.”

In a press conference, Prince Ali Bin Hussein said Bhutan could be a role model to show how football can be improved through the grassroots level. Bhutan, the prince of Jordan said, had a big advantage with a beautiful environment where virtue of altitude, there is potential for great athlete.

“Grassroots level football program is important not only for competitions in future but for health and wellbeing of the youth,” Prince Ali said, adding that Bhutanese had to realise the youth was its future and their health and wellbeing was most important.

“Football is a universal language though we speak different language and come from different areas,” Prince Ali said. “There is huge potential for women in Asia as it has not been exposed enough yet.”

Compared with the past, Ugen Tsechup Dorji said Bhutanese women had improved drastically having gained more confidence and exposure.

“As participation increases we’ll start a women’s league,” he said.

Prince Ali added it was crucial for families and friends to encourage women to play football.

Ugen Tsechup Dorji, President Bhutan Football Federation and Prince Ali Hussein, FIFA Vice President/ADFP Chairman

Source: Kuenselonline.com