2007
Live The Dream Programme
Creating International Opportunities Through Heritage Football
In 2007, Majid Lavji and AsiaEurope Football launched the Live The Dream programme, an initiative created to help players born and raised in the UK and Europe explore opportunities to represent the country of their family heritage.
The concept recognised that a growing number of talented young footballers from Asian and African backgrounds were developing within the British and European football systems but could also have international eligibility through their parents or grandparents.
Live The Dream was designed to help create that bridge.
Associated Press of Pakistan — “PFF to conduct trials for overseas Pakistani players”, on the trials held with Rotherham United
The first programme was held in Rotherham in 2007, working alongside Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and the Pakistan Football Federation. It provided players of Pakistani heritage with the opportunity to be seen within a structured football environment and to demonstrate their ability to representatives connected with the Pakistan national football setup.
Following the initial programme, the concept was expanded and trials and player-identification opportunities were organised in connection with Bangladesh, India and a number of African national football organisations, helping players based in the UK and Europe explore international opportunities through their family heritage.
The programme created a practical link between diaspora footballers and international federations that might otherwise have struggled to identify eligible players developing outside their domestic football systems.
Why It Matters Today
For Majid, Live The Dream was about more than organising trials. It was about recognising the increasingly international nature of football and creating genuine pathways between British and European-developed players and their countries of heritage.
The initiative also demonstrated AsiaEurope Football's growing ability to bring together local authorities, international football federations, players, coaches and football professionals across different countries.
Live The Dream became an important part of Majid's international football work and reflected a principle that would continue throughout his career:
The Principle
Creating opportunities by connecting players, cultures and different parts of the football world.
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If any of this experience is relevant to a challenge or opportunity at your club, Majid is happy to have a confidential conversation.