CAF, AFC sign MoU on football development

The Confederation of African Football and the Asian Football Confederation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop football in the two confederations.
This was contained in a statement obtained from CAF’s website.
The signing of the MoU took place in Kigali, Rwanda.
The President of CAF, Issa Hayatou, and his AFC counterpart, signed the MoU on mutual development of football on behalf the two confederations.
Hayatou was assisted by the General Secretary of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, and Dato’ Windsor John, the General Secretary of the AFC.
The MoU, which is open to renewal, after four years, is to strengthen cooperation between the two confederations.
The statement explained that the MoU would also provide a framework for exchanges on competitions and formation.
It quoted the CAF President, Issa Hayatou, as saying that the MoU would help to re-launch a cooperation that would be beneficial to both confederations.
Hayatou was quoted as saying: “The signing of MoU is not new in the long-existing relationship between CAF and AFC.
“Such partnerships have linked us in the past through several exchanges and through competitions and high level matches.
“We are here to re-launch a cooperation that will be beneficial to the confederations after several months of work.
“The first four years will strengthen, intensify cooperation and strengthen the capacity of various stakeholders in Africa and Asia.
“This is an opportunity that will further contribute to African football development.”
The statement added: “This will be achieve through the sharing of information, experience, initiating high level competitions and conducting joint technical development programs in various fields.
“These fields include coaching, refereeing, youth football, women’s football, integrity, administration, marketing, media and innovative technologies.”
It noted that that the AFC President, Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, described the deal as a remarkable development that would aid football development in both continents.
Khalifa was quoted as saying: “This is indeed a memorable day when our two great confederations come together in the spirit of friendship and co-operation.
“Africa and Asia are two great football continents who have made a dramatic impact on the global stage this century.
“Both confederations have aspirations and expectations of staging future tournaments not only the World Cup but also in women and age group competitions.
“Now this agreement will lay a permanent foundation to this great progress and it will under pin this development by our great confederations because we recognises the benefits of formalising our existing ties.
“The agreement will deliver a legacy of not just sporting but also cultural, social and educational benefits for both continents.”
NAN.