AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam poses with the Indonesian delegation. AFC photo by Galvin Tan

KUALA LUMPUR: AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam said the AFC would leave no stone unturned in helping Indonesian football return to its glory days.

A strong admirer of Indonesian football, Hammam was speaking to a PSSI (Football Federation of Indonesia) delegation on a one-day visit to AFC House here on Thursday.

“I see Indonesia as the ‘Brazil of Asia’,” said Bin Hammam, in an obvious reference to the abundance of footballing talent in the ASEAN country. “They have been the traditional powers but are finding it difficult to produce quality players now. A way has to be found to identify and groom new players.”

“The AFC is willing to help Indonesia to improve their level of football,” added the AFC chief. “I believe the game will get a boost from the Vision Asia project which will be implemented soon in Bandung and Yogyakarta.”

Hammam also stressed the importance of adhering to AFC rules and regulations, pointing out that two Indonesian clubs - Arema Malang and Persipura Jayapura – had been suspended from the AFC Champions League due to delay in player registrations.

“Discipline is vital. I hope that this decision serves as a lesson to show that AFC will not tolerate such lapses in the future. Our commitment to professionalise the administration of Asian club football is total.”

The 28-member PSSI delegation is led by General Secretary Nugraha Besoes and the purpose of the visit is to study the FIFA/AFC Statutes and Key Principles, Football Administration, Organization Structure and Football Development.

* Indonesia are co-hosts of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 alongwith Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. A strategic development plan for boosting football in Indonesia under the Vision Indonesia project is already under preparation and two pilot cities - Bandung and Yogyakarta - have been selected for its implementation.