AFC President: Asian Football Scales New Heights

(WFI) Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam hails a landmark year for soccer's growth on the continent at the AFC's final executive committee meeting of 2009.

Developments in Asian football this year include the launch of the revamped AFC Champions League and yesterday’s renewal of the AFC’s agreement with Singapore-based sports marketing firm World Sport Group. Starting in 2013 after the end of the current cycle, the deal is expected to generate at least $1 billion in revenues for the confederation.

Bin Hammam, 60, also remarked on an eventful AFC Congress in May.

At the congress, Bin Hammam survived a challenge to his FIFA Executive Committee seat following a bitter campaign characterized by personal attacks, power abuse claims and cash bribes for votes. He retained the seat after drawing 23 votes to the 21 received by Bahraini royal, Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa.

“This is the end of year in which I am personally very proud,” Bin Hammam told members. “And I hope you are also very proud of the many activities of your confederation – from competitions to education and all its activities.

“I have no doubt that this confederation is moving forward from one level to another because of your dedication and input to football in Asia.”

Executive committee members also showed support for the Iraq Football Association, which was last week suspended by FIFA for government interference. Bin Hammam condemned the actions of the Iraq Olympic Committee in interfering with the football body’s affairs.

FIFA vice president, Korea’s Chung Mong-joon, who led a coalition of opponents against Bin Hammam at the May congress, applauded the efforts of the AFC chief and urged members to get behind him following the divisions laid bare at May’s Congress.

“We all remember the Congress in May and in retrospect, it was quite heated. But the past is past,” Chung said. “We, in Asia, were divided, and now it is time for us to get together for the future of Asia.”

Among the decisions made at the executive committee meeting on Tuesday was approval of a plan “to cancel an earlier proposal to enable the AFC President to automatically become a FIFA vice president. The proposal must be taken to the next AFC Congress.”

The AFC will hold an Extraordinary Congress in South Africa on June 9 to review statutes. It is scheduled to take place two days before the 2010 World Cup kicks off.

Benefits of marketing deal
The AFC said Tuesday that the extension of its marketing agreement with WSG secures the Asian football governing body's financial future until 2020. It cements the sports marketing company’s partnership with the AFC, which dates back to 1993.

Bin Hammam and WSG chairman and CEO Seamus O'Brien signed the deal in the presence of the AFC Executive Committee members.

"Asian football is scaling new heights and it is AFC’s pleasure to renew our tight relationship with WSG, who were the first ones to recognise the incredible potential of the Asian game,” said Bin Hammam.

"This is a landmark deal and shows what Asian football is capable of achieving. WSG have been steadfast in their commitment to AFC and have played a significant role in popularising the Asian game worldwide. This has been a very productive partnership for both sides."

The deal covers the AFC's major competitions which include the AFC Asian Cup in 2015 and 2019, the newly revamped AFC Champions League, the Asian qualifying rounds for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and 2018, and the Asian final qualifying competitions for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.

Since 1993, WSG has signed up valuable sponsorships and broadcast partners for the AFC to boost Asian football.

AFC Awards
Japanese midfield star Yasuhito Endo, who plays for J.League side Gamba Osaka, won the AFC Player of the Year Award on Tuesday night.

Endo garnered the most points from MVP awards collected during the 2009 season.

Endo, 29, aided Japan’s qualification for the 2010 World Cup and helped Gamba, last year's Asian champions, reach the round of 16 this year.

"This is a big honour for me. I was here last year but unfortunately, I wasn't able to win. However, I am very happy to win this year,” Endo said. “ I hope I can be a role model for young players everywhere and give hope to others in Asian football."

Endo, who has scored 63 goals in 267 appearances for Gamba, is the sixth Japanese winner of the award, the first since Shinji Ono in 2002. He said he would consider a move to one of the top European leagues.

Written by Mark Bisson

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