DUSHANBE, 20.04.2020. (NIAT Khovar) – The Tajik Football Federation (FFT) has been awarded the AFC Grassroots Charter Silver Membership for its ongoing effort to develop grassroots football throughout the country.

The AFC Grassroots Charter Silver is a development tool to support football associations in improving the quality of grassroots programs. It considers 20 categories, such as mass competitions, structure, advertising and partnerships. The FFT excels in all of these requirements.

In order to quickly promote the participation of children and youth, the FFT has ben focusing on three key areas of development of programs for players, mass competitions and women’s projects. The FTF has developed an annual plan for the general population, which includes various events, tournaments and festivals for those from 6 to 14 years old. Its main goal in the development of grassroots football is mass participation of children. A total of 31,990 children have participated in football tournaments and festivals throughout the year.

The FFT and its regional football federations has held a number of amateur football and indoor soccer competitions for those 23 years old and above. Over 125 teams participated in four major tournaments, including the Dushanbe Chairman’s Cup, Dushanbe Chairman’s Futsal Cup, Istiklol FC Cup and Pure Game Futsal Cup. The regional football federations have also organized amateur tournaments among educational institutions, government agencies, as well as veterans.

The Federation has also organized a series of festivals and small tournaments among girls in order to inspire their passion for football. A total of 20 women’s teams took part in 180 matches of the Tajik Women’s League and the Tajik Girls U-15 Championship.

Additionally, the organization is also collaborating with the OSCE Program Office in Dushanbe, together having organized a football festival to mark International Women’s Day on March 8th.

“Football has been promoted in all the sectors of the population. We play in the yards, in schools and in rural areas. Instilling the love for football from an early age is one of the priority areas for the development of grassroots football. The AFC award will serve as a good incentive and give a new impetus toward the development of grassroots football in our country,” said FFT President Rustami Emomali.