OMAN HEAD COACH Branko Ivankovic, Thailand and Chiangrai United midfielder Ekanit Panya as well as Northern Mariana Islands international Enrico Del Rosario are the latest Asian football stalwarts to lend their voices in containing the transmission of the coronavirus pandemic in the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) #BreakTheChain series.
The widely supported mass awareness campaign continues to extend its reach throughout Asia and beyond with more than 130 Asian players and officials from 42 member associations answering the call to stand in solidarity during these challenging times by promoting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines and offering heart-warming messages of hope and unity.
The highly decorated Ivankovic, whose vast experience in Asian football include steering Islamic Republic of Iran to a third-place finish in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup as well as clinching three domestic titles with Persepolis FC, said: “I want to express my respect and appreciation to everyone who is battling this crisis on the frontlines.
“The sacrifices they have made are immeasurable and we must all pay tribute to the determination and tenacity of our health care workers battling this COVID-19 from around the globe.
“To everyone across Asia, I urge you to stay strong. These are difficult times, and we know staying at home has its own challenges, but it is also a privilege — one that our medical heroes do not have.
“The greatest gift we can give them at this moment is to follow the advice of your governments and health care experts, so I encourage everyone to join me to break the chain and stop the spread of this virus.”
Thai prodigy Ekanit, who netted the winner in the War Elephants’ 2-1 victory over United Arab Emirates in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers last October, said: “Just as in football, the hardest defeats are those that hit you unexpectedly and now, we have been confronted by an invisible opponent that can strike anyone when you least expect it.
“There is no question that we are facing our toughest opponent yet and our only chance of survival is by presenting a united front to break the chain and to remain vigilant constantly.
“Since the start of this outbreak, there has also been an unprecedented wave of compassion, kindness and graciousness. Our strongest defense is our actions and we must continue to keep our faith in each other to overcome this crisis.”
Del Rosario, the first player from Northern Mariana Islands to join the campaign also features in today’s episode with more member associations from the Asian football family set to appear for the first time in the coming weeks together with some of the continent’s biggest names including former Manchester City defender and China PR legend Sun Ji Hai as well as Japan’s defensive lynchpin Maya Yoshida.
