AFC at 60: Proud of its role in Asia

MANILA, Philippines - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) looks forward to sustaining the gains of the past six decades and further fueling growth of the beautiful game.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary and Annual Awards night at Shangri-La Makati, Asia’s football execs and top players, together with International Football Federation (FIFA) president Joseph Blatter, recalled the AFC’s humble beginnings in 1954 in Manila and cheered its steady progress through the years.

“From the very beginning, the AFC recognized the unparalleled potential in Asia and along with FIFA we began to develop the game. We are a confederation, which started with very little 60 years ago and which is now continuously strengthening its foundation by promoting unity and solidarity amongst its members,” said AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

“The AFC has always recognized its diversity as a source of strength, a source of inspiration and uniqueness for the people who play our game; the millions of players, fans and officials. The more we strengthen the structure of our Member Associations, the more we support Asia’s success,” he added.

The AFC boss promised to continue to implement its road map by “hosting more future global competitions on its soil, take a more active role in the debate concerning the governance of our game and increase the visibility of our game to areas of Asia which have yet to wholeheartedly embrace football.”

“I am therefore fully confident that, together with your on-going support and passion, we will carry on fulfilling our mission for the next 60 years,” he told the delegates during the gala night.