Vietnam emerged as big winners, with Nguyen Hoang Phuong receiving the prestigious Best Grassroots Leader award and the Football For All in Vietnam initiative being recognised as the Best Grassroots Project. Meanwhile, China PR’s Tianjin Pengcheng Football Club was acknowledged as the Best Grassroots Club and the accolade of Best Grassroots Competition went to Malaysia’s Liga Suparimau.

Congratulating the winners, AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: “Our collective duty is to ensure we build a brighter future by enhancing our structures of excellence more systematically and cohesively.

“Therefore, it delights me to witness our unsung heroes being honoured for their dedicated efforts to grow the grassroots movement on the Continent.”

Recipient of the AFC Dream Asia Award 2017 for his outstanding commitment towards social development, Nguyen Hoang Phuong has remained a steady pillar in Vietnam’s quest towards ushering positive change in society through the power of football.

A key player in the success of the Football For All in Vietnam initiative, Phuong’s involvement in Vietnam’s grassroots football ecosystem for over 23 years has been instrumental in establishing inclusive football clubs, integrating life skills and climate awareness into football training, and promoting gender equality, touching the lives of thousands of children.

Among Phuong’s many achievements, his contribution to the success of the groundbreaking Football For All in Vietnam (FFAV) programme is most notable, which over time, has led to the establishment of hundreds of grassroots football clubs across the length and breadth of the Southeast Asian nation, focusing especially on the integration of ethnic minorities and children with disabilities.

Phuong said: “I am truly honoured to receive this award, as it represents a significant recognition of the FFAV's contributions to enhancing grassroots football in Vietnam. This will not only motivate us to stay dedicated to our mission but will also lend strong credibility to our programmes, making them more appealing to potential partners and stakeholders, and encouraging their involvement in our initiatives."

Established in collaboration with the Vietnam Football Federation and the Football Association of Norway, the FFAV came into existence in 2001 and since then, has impacted the lives of almost 100,000 children in Vietnam.

Built on the tenets of sustainability and inclusivity, the FFAV has to date played an active role in founding more than 400 clubs in as many as 15 provinces in Vietnam. Moreover, through educational initiatives such as the “Goal Program”, the FFAV seeks to tackle issues such as inequality and promotes economic inclusion. Additionally, the programme also focuses on women empowerment which enables adolescent girls and young women to stay in school longer.

Highlighting the project’s many achievements, FFAV Vice Director Nguyen Thi Hoa said: “The project was initiated with the vision of enabling millions of children in Vietnam to play football while also helping them gain essential life skills through a structured, sustainable grassroots football programme. Since then, the project has made a significant impact on Vietnamese society by promoting inclusivity, personal development, and social cohesion.”

“Owing to its success, the FFAV model was selected by the Ministry of Education and Training and the VFF for nationwide implementation.”

Dedicated towards expanding the reach of the beautiful game to as many people as possible, Tianjin Pengcheng Football Club has built a strong football culture in the Tianjin municipality of northern China PR, creating extensive opportunities for youth engagement and community building.

True to the spirit of grassroots football, the club comprises members from ages five to 58, while also training nearly 1,000 children across 20 clubs in the U15 and U16 categories.

Most notably, in 2021, the Tianjin Pengcheng Football Club invested heavily in the refurbishment of the Zhengdao Sports Park, which now boasts multiple full-sized fields, futsal areas, and amenities such as fitness centres and accommodation for players, enabling the club to host over 400 youth tournaments and more than 200 adult matches, enhancing football's reach and appeal in the region.

A consistent supporter of the Confederation’s annual celebrations of the AFC Grassroots Football Day and the AFC Women’s Football Day, the club collaborates closely with regional entities like the Tianjin Sports Bureau and the Tianjin Football Association. Moreover, it also works alongside kindergartens, primary schools, and middle schools to incorporate football training within the education system.

Tianjin Pengcheng Football Club President Pi ShuangShuang said: “Since the club’s establishment, we have insisted on making football as accessible as possible, with free entry into the campus as well as free training sessions and equipment for more than 200 young girls.

“This win will act as a driving force for us to continue enhancing the club’s management standards. We will now think more deeply about how to make greater contributions towards grassroots football.”

Designed to provide a structured, inclusive football environment for young players aged between five and 16, Malaysia’s Liga Suparimau is a nationwide football league that is continuously growing and evolving to meet the needs of grassroots football across the country.

Focused on social inclusivity and accessibility, Liga Suparimau has seen rapid growth, hosting a remarkable 846 teams across 11 Malaysian states in 2024, with plans to extend its reach to all 13 states by 2025. The league also embraces technology and ensures continuous community engagement through the Liga Suparimau app, which has over 20,000 users, including players, parents, and coaches.

A steadfast advocate of gender equality, the Liga Suparmau is dedicated towards promoting women’s football, having already established multiple youth competitions for women, while striving to introduce more age-group tournaments in more districts.

“Winning this award is a milestone for the grassroots football community as it reflects the growing enthusiasm within Malaysia’s grassroots football scene, which has seen consistent expansion every year,” said Cameron Ng, Head of Grassroots Football Unit at the Football Association of Malaysia.

“Community support, from the local clubs and coaches to the parents and volunteers, has been integral to the league’s growth and success. The Liga Suparimau plays a pivotal role in football development in Malaysia by providing a structured, competitive platform for young players and hence, I hope in the near future, we can extend the league’s reach beyond major towns and bring structured grassroots football to even more communities.”