YANGON (29 Nov 2011) – The establishment of the Ayeyarwady Football Academy marked the continued social and redevelopment of the region affected by the cyclone Nargis.
With the support of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the football academy which has accepted 37 candidates under the age of 13-years-old, was founded in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Division with the hope of improving the country’s sport infrastructure.
“We want to compliment the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) for their initiative and dynamism in taking the social responsibility for Nargis victims by building this academy,” said Dato’ Alex Soosay, the secretary general of the AFC at the inauguration ceremony.
U Zaw Zaw, the president of the MFF, had urged AFC to provide financial aid not only for the development of football but to benefit the victims of cyclone Nargis with the latter then approving the subsidy of USD 250,000 provided.
An additional USD 500,000 was provided by the Ayeyarwady Foundation while Zaw Zaw also donated 300 soccer balls to the academy.
The other dignitaries in attendance were Dr Sai Mauk Kham, the vice-president of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, U Tint Hsan, the Union Minister for Hotels and Tourism and Sports and Myanmar National League football club owners.
The Ayeyarwady Football Academy is the second academy built by the MFF, after the Mandalay Football Academy in Mandalay Division.
