By Paul Nicholson
November 27 – With the great and good of Asian football gathering in New Delhi in India for the annual Asian Football Awards, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee has given its backing to Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in his election campaign to become the next FIFA president.
The exco took the step of passing a resolution urging all Member Associations to Salman who, if elected, would be the first FIFA president from Asia.
Salman’s campaign is gently gathering pace following a western media storm triggered by renewed claims of human rights abuses in Bahrain involving Salman, claims he and the footballers who were arrested in the 2011 protests in Bahrain, have repeatedly denied (see http://bit.ly/1XvRmUL, http://bit.ly/1ThGEAU, http://bit.ly/1Ncf3f3).
With the AFC exco’s resolution Salman is back in friendlier territory. According to an AFC press release, the exco recognised the parlous state FIFA finds itself in and “expressed their utmost confidence in Shaikh Salman’s ability to restore FIFA’s credibility. They added that Shaikh Salman has demonstrated his leadership qualities since taking over as AFC President and it was crucial to elect Shaikh Salman as he was ‘someone who could rebuild FIFA and make FIFA better in the future.'”
They exco pledged to work through their Member Associations to ensure the necessary support for Salman’s candidacy.
Salman responded indicating that he felt it is time Asia had a greater say in the way the game is run in the world. “It is a big support for my campaign, as well as an honour for me, to have the endorsement and full backing of the AFC Executive Committee. Since you are the elected representatives of the AFC member associations, it also sends a strong message that Asia is behind one candidate,” he said.
“I thank you for your support and invaluable advice. I am confident that the next President of FIFA will be from Asia. This would not only be a recognition of the ever increasing role that Asia and Asian football has, but also will allow us to have a say in shaping a better future for this great game.”
AFC’s big night out in Delhi
Meanwhile AFC football folk were were gathering to celebrate the best of Asian football in 2015 with their awards night on November 29 in New Delhi, the first time it has been hosted in India.
The event is to be held in Delhi’s magnificent Kingdom of Dreams and promises to bring some of India’s Bollywood passion to its growing passion for football.
The Annual Awards recognise the continent’s leading performers over the year with award categories including:
– Diamond of Asia Award
– Member Association of the Year
– Dream Asia Award
– National Team of the Year (men and women)
– Coach of the Year (men’s team, women’s team)
– Player of the Year
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734852336labto1734852336ofdlr1734852336owedi1734852336sni@n1734852336osloh1734852336cin.l1734852336uap1734852336
