NEOM Unveils “Champions of Progress” Initiative to Advance Community Football
NEOM – On Wednesday, NEOM, the official partner of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), launched a groundbreaking initiative titled “Champions of Progress”. This project aims to recognize and celebrate community heroes in the world of football across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and wider Asia.
The Champions of Progress initiative seeks to harness football’s widespread influence to promote positive societal change and support the development of emerging talent—ranging from grassroots participants to elite players.
This program aligns with NEOM’s vision to enhance the football landscape within the Kingdom, broaden access to physical activity, and establish Saudi Arabia as a global sports destination, according to an official statement.
“Champions of Progress is designed to honor individuals and projects that foster community engagement, champion innovative sports development, and reflect a dedication to diversity and inclusion within football,” the statement read.
The initiative is open to any person aged 18 and above across the region, as well as to teams or programs that have made meaningful contributions to community football development, including boosting participation rates or improving accessibility.
A selected panel of judges, composed of experts from both NEOM and the AFC, will assess all entries to identify the standout contributors.
Six selected “champions” will be invited to the AFC Champions League Elite at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, where they will connect with senior figures in Saudi football.
Their inspiring stories will be spotlighted across selected partnership media channels to build awareness and inspire further positive transformation in Asian football.
— V.2 Editorial Team
