During early February, Jens Jockel, president of CONIFA Asia, headed to Hong Kong, Macao and Kuala Lumpur for a hectic few days meeting various football associations and sponsors in the region. Jens and his team are looking to set up the first ever CONIFA Asia Cup and, as part of this, firstly met with All Black FC, a football team originally set up by refugees to assist displaced people who are seeking asylum in Hong Kong. CONIFA also met potential partners for the Asia Cup, visited various venues and looked at how CONIFA could benefit local teams in the region.

Jens also travelled to Macao, to meet up with the Macao FA, as well as a potential regional sponsor, before heading to Kuala Lumpur with Oscar Mussons, general secretary of CONIFA Asia. There, the duo spent a couple of days working with Rohingya FC. The Rohingyan team was formed by refugees from Myanmar, who have fled to Kuala Lumpur to escape from the persecution in their home country, and who want to use football as a way of bringing their youth together.

As part of this, CONIFA was able to donate balls and kit to the team, which they are in desperate need of. CONIFA was also in attendance at the final of the Rohingya Champions League, and handed out prizes for the winning team, as well as meeting politicians and spokespeople from Rohingya FC. This is with the aim of both assisting the Rohingyan people and drawing attention to their ongoing plight in Myanmar.

CONIFA also met with filmmakers and other interested parties, before concluding a useful and inspirational visit to the region. Jens said afterwards: “It was a pleasure working with Oscar in Kuala Lumpur. We had a successful trip together, and look forward to visiting the region again very soon. It was very important to meet with Rohingya FC especially, and support them in the work they are doing.”