October 22 – Asian football is mourning the death of former Asian Football Confederation general secretary Peter Velappen, for years the public face of Asian football, with the tributes led by AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
Salman hailed Velappan, who left behind a powerful legacy, as “one of the most important architects” of the game in the region after the Malaysian, the longest-serving number two in the confederation’s 64-year history who ran its administrative arm until his retirement in 2007, passed away on Saturday aged 83.
“Peter served Asian football with passion and professionalism and the news of his passing will shock and sadden all those who are involved in our great game on this continent,” said Salman. “He deserves immense credit for everything that he achieved with the AFC and beyond.”
Velappan served under three presidents at the AFC after joining the confederation from the Football Association of Malaysia and was a pioneer in commercialising the sport in Asia. Under his watch as AFC general secretary, he oversaw the entry of many member countries and was also instrumental in Asia hosting its first ever World Cup as coordination director of the Organising Committee of the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan.
His tenure was certainly not without controversy, both regionally and globally, but AFC’s current general secretary Windsor John paid the following tribute to his mentor.
“He set the standards to which everyone in Asian football aspires,” said John. “He was dedicated to grassroots football and the development of the game in Asia. It has been an honour to follow in his footsteps.”
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