By Duncan Mackay
December 14 – Football Federation Australia (FFA) has recruited Michael Brown from cricket to be the new chief executive of the 2015 Asian Cup, which they are hosting, they announced today.
Brown, a senior executive with a career spanning 21 years in Australian professional sports administration, will commence his role as head of the Local Organising Committee in the role early next year.
Brown comes to the role after nine years as general manager, cricket, with Cricket Australia.
He previously served for six years as chief executive of Australian Football League club Hawthorn.
“Michael Brown will bring the right mix of international event experience, organisational acumen and business skills to the role,” said Frank Lowy, the chairman of FFA.
“This tournament is the pinnacle for the 46 nations of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) who represent half the world’s population and some of the most passionate fans found anywhere.
“Australia has been entrusted with hosting rights and today’s announcement of a highly-regarded executive as CEO shows we are determined to stage a world-class event that will make Australia and Asia proud.”
Brown holds tertiary qualifications in education and business administration and began his career in professional sport administration in 1990.
His role with Cricket Australia included responsibilities for international event scheduling, industrial relations, high performance, Government relations and commercial functions.
“This is shaping as the most exciting and challenging role of my career,” said Brown.
“The scale and scope of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup makes it one of world football’s biggest and most important events.
“I’m honored to have been appointed as CEO and look forward to helping build a world-class organising team.”
The AFC Asian Cup 2015 is scheduled for January 2015.
Matches in the 16-nation tournament will be played in Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.
The Qantas Socceroos were runners-up in the sian Cup 2011 played in Qatar.
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