By Andrew Warshaw
April 11 – A fresh development has emerged in the race for political power within Asian football with the news that Japan’s Tashima Kohzo, Vice President and Executive General Secretary of the Japanese FA, has officially announced he is to seek a seat on the FIFA Executive Committee at regional elections next year.
“As one of the leading countries in Asian football, it is important for us to share the knowledge and experiences with other football family in Asia to raise the level of football as a whole,” said Tashima. “That will lead to the development of football in the world as well.
“Sports, football in particular, have the power to impact our society in various aspects. It is our mission to promote the power of football on and off the pitch, in Asia and all over the world.”
With four Asian seats on the (FIFA) exco, Tashima has several options in terms of who to try and target.
Whilst he could contest Asia’s FIFA vice-presidency, held currently by Prince Ali of Jordan who has made it clear he wants a second term, it is more likely he will try to beat either Zhang Jilong from China, former interim president of the Asian Football Confederation, or the controversial Worawi Makudi from Thailand who has been embroiled in corruption allegations and is still clinging to office in his own country amid an ongoing internal squabble.
Despite flying the flag for Asia on the field, Japan has been conspicuous by its absence from the top table of football politics since the retirement of former JFA president and general secretary Junji Ogura.
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