Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) President, Datuk Haji Hamidin Haji Mohd, has called for a unified effort for the football industry in Asia heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to remain sustainable ahead of the new year.
Datuk Haji Hamidin, who is also the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee member for the 2019-2023 term, said the COVID-19 chain was difficult to break completely but the confederation would continue to work with the affiliates mainly on financial or funding aid especially to those severely affected by the pandemic.
"For the safety of all parties, the AFC has decided to take unprecedented measures by postponing or cancelling most of the matches under AFC’s auspices this year.
"The AFC was the first Confederation to postpone its matches in the face of the pandemic.
"Based on the current scenario, the football industry, especially Asia, will continue to face major challenges but the AFC will continue to work together to curb this crisis under new norms," he said after participating the virtual 30th AFC Congress 2020, yesterday.
Also present were FAM General Secretary, Stuart Ramalingam and two members of the Executive Committee, ACP (R) Md Dali Wahid and Shafizah Umamah Abdul Mutalib.
In the virtual Congress, AFC was also proud to welcome Northern Mariana Islands Football Association as the 47th full Member Association of the AFC.
Earlier the delegation to the virtual Congress observed a minutes’ silence for Argentina legend Diego Armando Maradona and the legends of Asian football who have passed on over the course of the year.
Addressing the AFC Congress, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, said FIFA would continue to provide significant assistance to embattled member associations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Infantino reiterated the need to remain united in keeping football alive as the fraternity bids to have the game back to normality in 2021.
Datuk Haji Hamidin said AFC and its member associations will continue to support each other in making available a long-term solution in coping with this unprecedented situation.
"We concur with Infantino in calling for solidarity as the key to ensure Asian football will be back to normal for all stakeholders, especially the teams, fans and sponsors. Let's hope for a brighter year for football in 2021," he added.
As for Malaysia, among the highly anticipated events for the year was the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifications which were supposed to take place last October but had to be postponed to March next year.
The virtual congress which was chaired by AFC President, Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, approved the audited accounts for 2019, as well as the AFC revised budget for 2020. The Congress also passed amendments to the AFC Statutes.
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