December 15 – While the hierarchy of Asian football continues to be embroiled in politics, on the ground the not-for-profit Asian Football Development Project is endeavouring to present the region in a more charitable, compassionate light.
Last week the AFDP, which specialises in social development, commemorated Human Rights Day with a football festival under the umbrella of its ongoing ‘Kick For Hope’ programme at the Zaatari Refugee Camp near the Jordan-Syria border where football is playing a key role in the lives of thousands of displaced people.
The world’s second largest refugee camp received a visit from the State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Thomas Silberhorn, who saw for himself the effect football is having on children who have lost relatives and friends in the fighting in Syria.
“It was very inspiring to see the smiles on the faces of the children on the football field, they can forget their everyday reality, football gives them the chance to play, a glimpse of hope and a new perspective on life,” said Silberhorn.
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