With Mohammad Herman Zailani, Head of Coach Learning at Lao Football Federation

In October 2024, the Lao Football Federation (LFF) achieved a remarkable milestone—being named the AFC Member Association of the Year. This prestigious recognition was awarded for their unwavering commitment to innovation and football development, especially in the realm of youth football. What makes this recognition even more significant is the fact that the LFF is using cutting-edge technology like DRIBL to fuel their ambitions and overcome the limitations they face as a small football nation.

The LFF’s approach to football is far from conventional, and their use of DRIBL technology marks them as true trailblazers in Southeast Asian football. As a country with a population of just 7.6 million, Laos faces significant challenges: vast geographical distances, limited financial resources, and a lack of professional football infrastructure outside the capital Vientiane. Despite these obstacles, the LFF is turning adversity into opportunity by embracing innovative solutions. DRIBL, the major sponsor of the Youth League, has become the backbone of Lao Football’s development system.

“DRIBL is central for what we are doing in the youth league. To be honest, it’s a gamechanger. Nobody would have thought an association like Laos would
be using such advanced technology,” says Mohammad Herman Zailani, the LFF’s Head of Coach Learning.

The LFF’s journey to recognition as AFC Member Association of the Year was not just about improving performance on the field, but about revolutionising their football ecosystem. By embracing DRIBL, the LFF has streamlined league management, eliminated the need for time-consuming paper records, and introduced a new level of transparency and efficiency to their operations.

Before DRIBL, the LFF was bogged down by manual processes. Fixtures, results, and player data were tracked on paper, and it could take up to 48 hours to process match results—leaving room for errors and inaccuracies. Today, everything is automated through DRIBL, and crucial information is available online within minutes. This efficiency has allowed the LFF to focus on the most important aspect
of their mission: developing the next generation of football talent.

“DRIBL has transformed how we manage everything. We can now share results, track players, and get data within minutes of the game, all through our phones. It has elevated the quality of our league, made our processes so much more efficient and makes our lives so much easier,” Herman explains.

With DRIBL’s support, the LFF is able to manage its youth leagues more effectively and with less administrative overhead. This has been crucial in reaching more children across Laos, particularly in rural areas where connectivity is limited. The ability to manage leagues online has made it possible for youth players from even the most remote provinces to compete, with results accessible to coaches, scouts, and even potential sponsors.

“The support we are given makes me feel like such a valued customer. DRIBL never say never. At the heart of this partnership, this human touch is unmatched. We have good synergy, which makes it an even sweeter partnership. DRIBL are very good people,” says Herman.

In Laos, football is more than just a game—it’s a dream shared by millions. Across the country, children play in fields, on dirt roads, and even between on the rice fields. Yet, despite this passion, Laos has yet to produce a star footballer who can inspire the nation on the global stage.

The Lao Football Federation (LFF) is determined to change that. Their women’s senior team presents the clearest pathway to achieving this goal. Laos ranks fifth amongst the ASEAN women’s football teams— right behind the four AFF nations (Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia) that contested the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Since the launch of its 10-team domestic women’s league, the LFF believes the gap to its counterparts has narrowed and qualifying for the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is considered a realistic possibility. It would be a testament to Lao youth that football can be a viable career.

“Football is all about ambition, all about dreams. The sky is the limit. When the World Cup comes around every four years, the whole world is watching, it has such a huge reach. There’s an opportunity for Laos people to dream a little bit bigger. If we plan it well, it’s an aspirational dream to give something to the people of Laos to look forward to. We can touch a lot of lives. Not only to inspire people to play the game, but to lead a proper lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle”, says Herman.

While FIFA funding has been critical in sustaining the LFF’s programs, it is clear that relying solely on this source of income is not a sufficient strategy for the Federation to achieve its lofty goals. The LFF’s leadership recognises that in order to achieve lasting success, they need to expand their funding model by tapping into new revenue streams, particularly through sponsorship.

This is where DRIBL’s ability to capture detailed, actionable data is making a significant impact. The platform not only improves league management and drives additional website traffic, but DRIBL also allows the LFF to create compelling, data-driven sponsorship pitches. By collecting data on the demographics of players, the LFF can provide potential sponsors with a clearer picture of their participants, making it easier to secure investment.

As the LFF looks ahead, their ambitions extend beyond their own borders. Herman is actively encouraging neighbouring countries to adopt DRIBL’s technology, believing that it has the potential to strengthen football throughout ASEAN countries. From Indonesia’s hundreds of islands to the Philippines’ archipelagos, the geographical challenges facing ASEAN countries are similar. But with DRIBL, these nations can overcome logistical hurdles, align their football operations, and create a more connected footballing community.

“DRIBL has already had a massive impact for us, and I believe it can revolutionize football operations across ASEAN. It’s about creating a unified vision and working together to push the region forward. The answer is technology, and that technology is already here,” Herman explains.

By adopting DRIBL, the LFF is not only strengthening Lao football but positioning the country as a leader in the region. Their success and innovative approach serve as a beacon for other ASEAN nations looking to improve their footballing infrastructure and importantly, revenue.

“All football federations need to do it. We need to look beyond just running a football league. Beyond the funding of FIFA. It’s not sustainable, you need to think out of the box. The future is now. You will fall behind,” Herman warns.

With their sights set on World Cup qualification, a more sustainable funding model, and a stronger football ecosystem, the Lao Football Federation is proving that even small nations can dream big. DRIBL is at the centre of this transformation, helping the LFF streamline operations, unlock new sponsorship opportunities, and ensure that the next generation of Lao footballers have the resources they need to succeed.

“With DRIBL, we’re showing what’s possible. It’s not just about improving operations—it’s about touching lives, inspiring dreams, and creating a future where Lao football can thrive. Together, we’re building something special,” Herman concludes.

Interested in learning how DRIBL can elevate your league operations?