FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that he will attend a youth festival in Bangladesh this January, following an invitation from the country’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus.
The announcement came after a meeting between the two leaders on Tuesday in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the COP29 climate summit.
Professor Yunus briefed Infantino about the upcoming festival, which aims to bring young people together through sports, cultural activities, and workshops.
Yunus also requested Infantino’s help in attracting some of the top women’s football teams from around the world to participate in the event.
He believes that the presence of these teams would inspire young girls in Bangladesh and help promote women’s football in the country.
In response, Infantino expressed his full support for Yunus’s vision and said he would work to make it possible for well-known women’s football teams to attend.
Infantino, who is a strong supporter of women’s sports, especially football, stressed the importance of providing young girls with opportunities to engage in sports and pursue their dreams.
The youth festival, which will be held in January, is expected to feature a range of sports competitions, cultural performances, and interactive activities.
The event will aim to inspire young people from different countries to connect and learn from one another.
Beyond just sports, Yunus and Infantino also discussed how sports can be a powerful tool for social change, especially in underprivileged communities.
Yunus pointed out that football, in particular, can bring people from different cultures together, promoting peace and understanding.
Infantino’s involvement in the festival is expected to give the event a global boost, attracting more attention to both the youth festival and the growing popularity of women’s football in Asia.
The FIFA president’s decision to attend highlights his commitment to increasing opportunities for women in sports and supporting initiatives that use sports to bring about positive social change.
With Infantino’s support, the youth festival in Bangladesh is set to become a major event that could have a lasting impact on young people, especially girls, in the region.