The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially upgraded the Lao Football Federation to Silver Level Membership in 2025.
Currently, with this upgrade from the 2019 Bronze, the Lao Football Federation becomes the 11th Silver member of the AFC Grassroots Charter, which also includes 10 Gold members and 22 Bronze members.
Varadaraju Sundram Moorthy, the Technical Director of the Lao Football Federation, noted that Laos has gradually advanced through various significant efforts, including the launch of the Champi-Champa Football Training Center. This program is dedicated to nurturing young talent, offering training opportunities for boys and girls aged 10 to 16 across five centers situated in Champasak, Luang Namtha, Khammouane, Vientiane Capital, and Vientiane KM 16.
“It allows us to reach a wider pool of talent across the country, rather than concentrating only on the capital,” he said. “Women’s football projects have recently gained significant attention, with various initiatives and events supporting the growth of the women’s game.”
He added that various initiatives have helped promote the sport among Lao youth, especially girls.
These include football matches and events held in honor of International Women’s Day as part of the AFC’s Women’s Football Day project, FIFA-supported programs through the FIFA Women’s Football Campaign, and youth-centered celebrations during the AFC Grassroots Football Day.
Collectively, these activities have been instrumental in sparking greater interest and participation in football across the country, according to Sundram.
The AFC Grassroots Charter is a key program aimed at improving youth football across Asia. It provides a clear structure to help raise the quality of grassroots football while protecting young players and building a strong football community.
Member Associations are ranked in three levels—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—based on the strength of their grassroots programs. These levels focus on different goals, from mass participation to player development and long-term retention.
Each Member is reviewed every three years to maintain quality. They must run a grassroots program, protect young players with proper policies, and regularly update the AFC on their activities. They’re also required to manage a proper registration system and use AFC branding only with approval.
Overall, Members are expected to actively support the goals of the Charter, follow AFC rules, and help grow football at the grassroots level.