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Soccerex USA on November 15/16 in Miami will see prominent football administrator and philanthropist, HRH Prince Al-Hussein of Jordan, unveil to the Americas market his new international social enterprise, Association Football Development Programme (AFDP) Global which aims to aims to unite and transform communities around the world through football.
The project was launched on Tuesday, October 9 at London’s Emirates Stadium, to an audience of influential figures from the world of football and sport as well as senior representatives of leading NGOs. The new initiative builds on the successful model, spearheaded by His Royal Highness, of growing football development projects. In its original iteration, AFDP was established as an organisation focused on Asia and the Middle East. Its expanded global remit represents an ambitious step-change in Prince Ali’s work delivering social impact through football and a commitment to delivering sustainable results on a global scale.
Joining HRH Prince Ali at Soccerex will be AFDP Global CEO JF Cecillon, a seasoned business leader whose experience includes top roles at EMI Music International, SEGA Europe and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, together with Shimon Cohen, Director of Communications of AFDP Global, and Paul Hijazin, Trustee of AFDP Global.
AFDP Global will make a difference by funding specific initiatives, making equipment donations and providing other material support. It will also provide expert management and guidance to protect and develop football and its values, and help local partners build capacity and ensure the sustainability of projects.
Explaining the vision behind AFDP Global at a special launch event, His Royal Highness Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein said, “I have always believed that football is much more than just a game and can be a force for uniting people in every country and context. I’ve seen how football shapes characters, creates leaders, and helps young people to overcome barriers and pursue their dreams and ambitions.”
“We are proud of the change that we have already achieved through the transformative power of football, from watching children rebuild their confidence on the football pitch in the Jordanian refugee camp of Zaatari, and making it possible for girls and boys in Malaysia to play football and take part in tournaments safely, to our successful campaign to overturn FIFA’s ban on girls and women wearing a headscarf. However, a global game requires a global organisation, and this seems like the right time to step up and expand our work so that we can deliver our vision of football transforming communities, wherever and whenever this may be needed.”
The presence at Soccerex is just one of a number of AFDP Global initiatives, announced at today’s launch, which will harness the power of football to change lives. The organisation’s initial tranche of projects also includes collaborations with the UEFA Foundation for Children, streetfootballworld, and War Child FC.
Commenting on the participation at Soccerex USA, HRH Prince Ali said: “We are pleased to be working with Soccerex, which shares our passion for football and has the international reach and networks that will be instrumental in helping us to deliver our vision of football transforming communities, whenever and wherever this is needed.”
Soccerex Co-Founder, Rita Revie, commented, “We are thrilled to have Prince Ali and his team back at Soccerex to promote this fantastic new initiative. I firmly believe in football’s power to do good and know that, with Prince Ali’s enthusiasm and drive behind it, AFDP Global will have a big impact, all around the world.”
AFDP Global’s session will be part of an industry leading conference programme at Soccerex USA that has been developed in conjunction with an advisory board containing representatives from Concacaf, MLS, US Soccer and LaLiga.
Soccerex USA is sponsored by the London Football Exchange, the world’s first fully integrated soccer club stock exchange and marketplace, and hosted in partnership with General American Capital Partners. The two day event will take place at Miami’s iconic Marlins Park and will comprise an exhibition showcasing the latest soccer business, performance and technology innovations.
Soccerex USA will include a programme of structured and informal networking events to connect delegates from across the USA and the rest of the world and it will feature a market leading conference agenda, with international experts tackling topics such as league expansion, women’s soccer, youth development, eSports, stadia technology, investment and new commercial opportunities.
