KUALA LUMPUR: Young players Imran Zakaria and Lauren Chow will represent Malaysia in Moscow at “Football for Friendship” (F4F), a social project for international children, in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup in June.
F4F, organised by PJSC Gazprom with full support from Fifa, will be held from June 8-15.
Imran, 16, will act as coach for one of the 32 mixed teams, to be made up of under-12 players from around the world while Lauren will act as a journalist covering the programme.
The programme is in its sixth edition, and for the first time, Malaysia has been invited to participate.
Imran and Lauren will have the chance to be involved in the opening ceremony of the World Cup and watch the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium on June 14.
PJSC Gazprom chairman Viktor Zubkov said this is the first time athletes from around the world will be together in one field.
"We want to unite people around the world under the principle of equality and respect among one another. This project is an important element in the process and provides a chance to all," said Zubkhov.
FA of Malaysia secretary general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin expressed his appreciation to Fifa and Gazprom for inviting Malaysia to participate in the programme.
"We hope the young coach chosen will benefit from the programme and bring home valuable experience and knowledge to this country," said Hamidin.