The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has launched its
promotional activities of engaging schoolchildren ahead of the AFC U23
Championship.
 
The high profile event will be held in Qatar from January 12 to 30 at
four venues.

‘Najim’, the official event mascot, visited Pakistani, British,
Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan schools in Qatar.
 
Large crowds gathered during the LOC visits to the schools which saw
schoolchildren mingling with football officials and having their
photos taken with ‘Najim’.

LOC officials said more schools are on the list in the coming days.

The officials also distributed literature detailing the event schedule
and venues.

Besides Qatar, teams from Syria, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, Japan,
North Korea, Thailand, Iraq, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Jordan,
Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam are also taking part
in the event.

The top three sides at the three-week tournament will qualify for the
2016 Olympic Games.