The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has appointed former international footballers Mehdi Mahdavikia and Bai Lili as its first grassroots ambassadors in Asia.
Iranian legend Mahdavikia and former Chinese women’s star Lili will help the continent and AFC member associations develop their grassroots game.
Mahdavikia had been captain of Iranian club side Persepolis until announcing his retirement last week, and is currently helping the Iran Under-17 team prepare for the Fifa Under-17 World Cup.
The former Young Asian Footballer of the Year and Asian Footballer of the Year enjoyed a successful playing career, in which he represented Iran over 100 times, as well as playing for a number of German clubs. He said: “I hope I would be able to assist the continent and also member associations in their grassroots efforts and I’m sure my experience in Europe and the Iranian clubs would come in handy.”
Lili is an ‘A’ License holder, a Chinese Football Association grassroots instructor and also works in the grassroots game in Shanghai, where she spent 11 years as a professional player. She also represented her country at various tournaments between 1999 and 2006, including a 2006 Women’s Asian Cup triumph.
She said: “Grassroots is important not only as a base for great footballing for a nation but it is also an important and perfect developmental aspect to incorporate into boys’ and girls’ overall growth where they will learn the values of teamwork, leadership and social skills.”