AFC President hails stellar year for Asian football

Shaikh Salman’s comments came at the AFC Annual Awards extravaganza in New Delhi, India. You can read a full transcript of his speech below:

“Tonight we gather here in New Delhi honour the stars of Asian football.

The men and women who have lit up this continent with their outstanding skills in the last 12 months. And we also recognise those people who have contributed so much to our wonderful game.

And what a year it has been with records broken from the opening days of January in Australia right up to last few days in Guangzhou

So congratulations to all our winners; to all those who have been nominated and to those, not here tonight, who have added some magic to this remarkable season. And it has been truly remarkable.

Forgive me while I remind you all what you have achieved this year.

Record crowds, up 35 per cent, in the Asian Cup in Australia –TV audiences were an all-time high and the way we engaged with fans across the continent reached new levels. Many congratulations to the Australian team – and to Football Federation Australia on a wonderful tournament.

Our women’s football has again shone on the global stage with Korea Republic, Australia, China and the eventual runners up Japan all advancing beyond the group stages.

When I was honoured with the Presidency of the Asian Football Confederation I identified women’s football as one of the key areas of investment and development and so I think we can all be particularly proud of the fact that the AFC became the first confederation to hold a Women's Futsal Championship.

This was both ground breaking and an extraordinary success and not only because of the victory by Iran but also becuase the way they played and the spectacular goals they scored, created excitement and interest around the world.

If football is to continue its extraordinary growth in the continent of Asia then development of facilities and skills has to be at the centre of everything we do. So this week in Bishkek, where we inaugurated the AFC’s mini-pitch scheme, and earlier in the month the performance of the Asian teams in the FIFA U-17 World Cup shows the future is bright.

And then the climax of the club season saw Guangzhou Evergrande win the Asian Champions League defeating the brave challenge of Al Ahli of UAE. Both sides deserve our respect and Guangzhou our congratulations. The same applies to Johor, who won the AFC Cup and the brave runners up to the hosts of the final FC Istiklol of Tajikistan.

And earlier I mentioned the records broken this year – and the Asian Champions League was another outstanding example. More than 260 million people watched on television across the continent, a remarkable 2.25m attended the games with record average attendances.

It reminds everyone that the Champions League has made extraordinary strides in the last few years and now, thanks to the quality of play, the television audiences, the attendances and the support of the 24 competing member associations – we have a club competion that few can match.

The added incentives for the Champions League by way of the increased prize money agreed by the Executive Committee is just another example of the AFC incentivise those who strive for success.

For a long time people talked of the future being Asia – I am now convinced that the present is Asia.

I am certain that we stand on the very brink of greatness in this continent- the dawning of the Asian age.

And for that we all owe so much to the people that we honour, celebrate and acknowledge tonight here in New Delhi.

India is one of the most dynamic countries of Asia and its footballing future is extremely bright with the hosting of the AFC U-16 Championship and of course the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the next two years. I am sure these events will provide an important boost for our great game in this nation.

Thank you Mr Patel and the All India Football Federation for being our wonderful hosts for this glittering evening in your incredible country.

Now let’s celebrate the success of Asia.”