The AFC & German FA renew partnership deal

The Acting Asian Football Federation President Zhang Jilong and German Football Association (DFB) President Wolfgang Niersbach signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday to intensify and continue the partnership between the two bodies in the technical and management areas.

Thanking the DFB for their continuous support, Jilong said the partnership would help AFC's Member Associations in a big way.

"Asian football is on the rise but we need the latest knowhow to get where we want to. I believe this agreement will help us achieve our goals. It will provide us with technical support, which could bridge any existing gap," he said.

"What is really good about this arrangement is that the DFB will be making available their experts directly to our Member Associations. I am sure our Member Associations will be eager to avail of this particular benefit."

Niersbach said it is a continuation of the cooperation between the two bodies.

"I must say it's a continuation of our cooperation as we have been working partners traditionally and now it became more official after signing the MoU," he said.

"We are thankful to AFC for their support to German football in the past and I hope after the signing this MoU, it will continue as we share the same organisational philosophy."

Under the MoU, the DFB will invite coaches appointed by the AFC for the DFB International Coaching Courses for foreign coaches, coaching and technical development course and send experts for courses or seminars organised by the AFC or its Member Associations.

Both the bodies will also exchange information on football management and development, including coaching and mentoring programmes, grassroots and youth development, marketing, media, and information technology.

Ambassador of Germany to Malaysia, His Excellency Dr Guenter Gruber; AFC General Secretary Dato' Alex Soosay and DFB Head of Coach Education and International Relations, Markus Weidner were also present on the occasion.