October 18 – The progress towards the AFC’s own dedicated football stadium and complex took a big step forward with a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were present to confirm the collaboration on the AFC Stadium which will not only be able to host games for AFC member nations unable to play home matches, but will also become the centre for AFC football development from coaching courses to match official training.
Putrajaya is the federal administrative capital of Malaysia and is situated about 30km from the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.
The AFC Stadium will be built on land covering 15.43 acres, and will include a grandstand, spectators’ boulevard and atrium, administrative offices, and underground carpark. Six hotels are already located close to the where the stadium will be built.
Estimated at taking two years to build, the stadium will be financed through funding from the FIFA Forward programme with support from the Football Association of Malaysia and the Malaysian Government who will provide the land.
“The AFC House has been the focal point of football development through numerous courses, workshops and seminars in the areas of Technical and Refereeing and now with this new AFC Stadium, we have the potential to do so much more,” said Shaikh Salman.
“On behalf of the Asian football family, I must convey our gratitude to FIFA for their willingness to chart a new era of progress with the AFC as well as the Malaysian Government for their dedication towards the development of Asian football, not only through this project but for its steadfast support over the decades.”
The stadium floor area will be approximately 580,000 sqft with a seating capacity of 10,000. Other features include a cafeteria, a leading-edge media tribune and media commentators’ room as well as a vibrant water feature to be constructed at the entrance of the stadium.
The AFC Stadium will be a major addition to the AFC’s capability to both get its competitions played in a top quality facility, as well as increase its capacity to help develop its member and regional associations.
“I think it is an important investment for Asian football, and I want to congratulate and commend the AFC President and the Executive Committee members,” said Infantino.
“It is a great project, and I am really proud and happy that we are teaming up through this AFC and FIFA stadium which can mark a new step in the whole very important part of the Asian region.”
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