KUALA LUMPUR − The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is confident that the Asian continent, which will host several major tournaments, will steal the world’s attention next year.
To ensure that Asia continues to attract global focus, AFC executive committee member and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said that the spirit of belonging among the affiliates of the parent body is important ahead of 2022, which will see Asia host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and FIFA Women’s Under -17 World Cup, both of which will be held in India, as well as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“The continent will be the focus of the world throughout 2022. The family spirit, which is the key to revival (of football) following two difficult years (due to the Covid-19 pandemic) should be nurtured to ensure that 2022 is an excellent year for Asia.
“What is important now is for us to build the momentum of recovery and use the opportunities available so that Asia continues to be the focus of world football,” he said in a post uploaded on FAM’s Facebook page today.
Hamidin also said this at the 31st AFC Congress, which was held virtually yesterday.
The call by Hamidin was in line with the message of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who also praised the unity of the AFC member countries, which he described as instrumental in bringing Asian football back even though hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The spirit of unity that Infantino mentioned in his message makes it easier for the Asian football family to recover from this challenge.
“What he emphasised is apt because thanks to the cooperation of all parties, Asia has risen again. We will rise stronger if we continue our teamwork,” he added.
The meeting chaired by AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa also approved a resolution whereby any member who failed to participate in at least two AFC competitions in two consecutive years before the 31st AFC Congress will not be suspended from voting at the congress this time after taking into account the impact of Covid-19.
The AFC will also introduce a more structured Technical Staff Initiative − designed specifically for affiliates to have a comprehensive Social Responsibility Strategy as well as a Child Protection Policy.
The congress also approved the audited financial reports for 2020, and the AFC budgets for 2021 and 2022 as well as the appointment of AFC external auditors for the period from December 2021 to December 2024. – Bernama, November 28, 2021
