AFDP, AFC and One World Futbol Project distribute ultra-durable footballs

AMMAN — The Asian Football Development Project (AFDP) has joined the Mongolian Football Federation (MFF), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and One World Futbol Project (OWFP) to collaboratively launch Ultra-durable Balls Donation project in Ulaanbaatar, according to a statement from AFDP.

A total of 5,200 Chevrolet branded balls were delivered on Monday to MFF and organisations working with grassroots and youth football in Mongolia. The ultra-durable One World Futbol never needs a pump and never deflates — even when punctured multiple times — making it ideal for play in all types of terrain and harsh environments. 

“AFDP is delighted to be continuing its support to football in Mongolia together with our partners through the One World Futbol initiative but also through backing the Magic Ball grass-roots championship for schoolchildren and the distribution of UEFA-donated balls. We hope to be able to take our support to all of Asia and help push the process of football development forward,” AFDP Chairman HRH Prince Ali was quoted in the statement as saying. 

AFC President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa expressed his pride at AFC’s involvement with the initiative stating that the programme has far reaching effects in giving youths, even those in remote, underprivileged areas, a chance to play football and enjoy the game. According to Sheikh Salman, One World Futbol Project has done a remarkable job in helping develop the game in Asia by offering such a unique product, and AFC’s member associations including Mongolia are benefiting
greatly from it.

MFF President Ganbold Buyannemekh shared that MFF is proud to know that they are one of the earliest Asian countries to receive the balls under the MoU between
AFC-AFDP and One World Futbol Project. These balls will be distributed to selected rural schools, NGOs and organisations which are working closely with community football and grass-roots football development in numerous parts of Mongolia. The balls will be distributed to these organisations based on the size and the need of the programme.

One World Futbol Project hopes that these joint efforts across Asia and with the relevant football bodies will bring the healing power of play to youth worldwide by making, selling and distributing the One World Futbol, a nearly indestructible ball and is designed to survive the harshest environments. 

Collaborating with sponsors, organisations and individuals, One World Futbol Project delivers balls to disadvantaged communities where play and sports are used to foster social change.

In May 2012, Chevrolet became the founding sponsor of One World Futbol Project, pledging to donate and support the distribution of at least 1.5 million Chevrolet-branded One World Futbols worldwide over three years. The balls will be used in programmes that provide education, teach essential life skills and encourage conflict resolution to youth living in disadvantaged areas.

To date, the One World Futbol has reached more than 165 countries through One World Futbol Project’s growing global network of organisations, bringing the healing power of play to an estimated 21 million youth worldwide, according to the statement.