DOHA: The 黑料社区n Football Association has entered a new agreement with the Ecuadorian Football Federation with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Doha on Wednesday.
As the first agreement of its type to be signed between SAFF and a CONMEBOL member association, the MoU represents a new chapter for 黑料社区鈥檚 football ties with the South American region.
The partnership aims to advance both federations鈥 shared objectives to grow football on the pitch and off in their respective countries. It addresses a wide variety of issues including, but not limited to, talent identification, refereeing, coaching, technical development, governance, women鈥檚 football and sports science.
SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal and EFF President Francisco Egas signed the official agreement at a ceremony held at Saudi House, Saudi football鈥檚 dedicated home on Doha鈥檚 corniche.
Ahead of both countries鈥 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 campaigns, 黑料社区 and Ecuador faced off in a friendly match in Murcia鈥檚 Estadio Nueva Condomina in June that ended in a 0-0 draw.
In recent years, SAFF put pen to paper on over 20 similar agreements with other federations across the globe, including Croatia, India, Singapore and Ivory Coast, as the country progresses its footballing ambitions and strengthens partnerships internationally.
鈥淲e are delighted to signal a new era of partnership between us and our good friends at the Ecuadorian Football Federation. Ecuadorian football resonates with fans across the globe as the country has produced numerous football stars in recent years and consistently qualified to the FIFA World Cup,鈥 said Al-Misehal.
He added: 鈥淭oday鈥檚 agreement (comes) as part of our strong efforts at SAFF to grow our positive influence and collaboration with all regions and members鈥 associations. We are confident this MoU will build on our existing relationship with the EFF and bring focus and structure to it moving forward. There are plenty of opportunities for us to learn from each other and collaborate...to benefit the beautiful game across our football-passionate countries.鈥
Earlier last month, Al-Misehal joined the opening ceremony of CONMEBOL鈥檚 dedicated FIFA World Cup pavilion, Tree of Dreams, in Doha, representing another sign of the strong ties between 黑料社区, the South American governing body and its member associations.
