AFC Honours National Associations for Grassroots Football Development at Riyadh 2025 Ceremony
RIYADH, 16th October, 2025 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) celebrated outstanding achievements in grassroots football development at the AFC Awards Riyadh 2025. The event, hosted at the King Fahd Cultural Centre in Riyadh and sponsored by NEOM, recognised national associations that have significantly contributed to the growth and popularity of football across Asia.
Leading the accolades, the UAE Football Association (UAEFA) received the AFC President Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football – Gold Category. The Football Association of Malaysia secured the Silver Category, while the Bangladesh Football Federation took home the Bronze Category.
According to an official AFC statement, the UAEFA demonstrated “remarkable progress in expanding the game’s grassroots base” through an array of community tournaments and initiatives. Programmes such as open leagues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and age-group festivals for players under 7, 8 and 9 years old have been organised across various emirates.
These initiatives have engaged approximately 28,595 players from 83 nationalities at 65 locations. Major support came from local partners, including the UAE Pro League, Dubai Sports Council, and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
Additionally, the association rolled out social responsibility initiatives to provide a safe and inclusive environment for young players. There has also been a focus on boosting investments in grassroots football infrastructure development, ensuring the strong foundations needed for the sustainable growth of the sport in the region.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
