The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the Ministry of Education and Training signed a cooperation agreement on June 18 to expand the Football for All in Vietnam (FFAV) programme across the country.

Under the agreement, the programme will be implemented at primary and secondary schools across the country from 2015-2020.

VFF General Secretary Le Hoai Anh said developing grassroots football is a main goal in the football development strategy through 2020 as approved by the Prime Minister. Given its 12 years of existence, the programme is considered effective and relevant.

The programme’s success has been recognised by the Asian Football Confederation, the United Nations’ Office on Sport for Peace and Development and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The VFF hoped the programme would produce future football stars for Vietnam.

Since 2003, the FFAV programme has been implemented in nine districts, cities and towns in Thua Thien-Hue and Do Son district in Hai Phong city, gathering 17,500 children in 171 football clubs in total.-VNA