The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s remarkable strides in ensuring its Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) continue to uphold the highest standards of good governance was further emphasised by the AFC Associations Committee at its third meeting held virtually today.

Chairperson Hachem Haidar noted the vast challenges faced by the Asian football family during the pandemic and hailed the AFC’s MAs and RAs for their uncompromising commitment towards completing or finalising the revisions of their Statutes as part of efforts to raise the level of professionalism across the Continent.

At the same time, members of the Committee also acknowledged the ever strengthening spirit of partnership between the AFC and its MAs and RAs, with the AFC attending more than 75 MA and RA congresses, held both physically and virtually, since the Committee last convened on September 29, 2020.

Chairperson Hachem Haidar said: “These are challenging times for all of us but together we are on the road to recovery and the willingness of the MAs and RAs to amend their Statutes proves that there is a desire to uphold good governance.

“We have also seen the AFC utilise technology to attend the MAs and RAs’ Congresses and important meetings and we must continue to assist them with their important statutory tasks.”

The Chairperson also recognised the unity and solidarity of the AFC and its Members in approving the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association (NMIFA)’s membership at the 30th AFC Congress, and further underlined the AFC’s support towards the NMIFA’s application for FIFA Membership.

He added: “I would like to sincerely commend this Committee, for delivering the long-term aim of confirming the ordinary membership of the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association.

“Our recommendation was raised and approved overwhelmingly by the AFC Congress in December 2020, but our work is not over, and our next mission must be to ensure NMIFA attains FIFA Membership.”

Members of the Committee were also briefed on the plans for the upcoming AFC Member Associations and Regional Associations General Secretaries Conference 2022, which will be held in Saudi Arabia from January 12 to 16, in conjunction with the Spanish Super Cup in Riyadh.

Having grown into one of the most anticipated networking and capacity building events in the AFC’s calendar, the Conference will continue to provide the leadership of the Asian football family with an opportunity to forge closer bonds whilst also benefitting from insightful sessions conducted by some of the most renowned industry experts from across the footballing world.

(AFC)