Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Asian football's highest individual accolade - the AFC Diamond of Asia - has been awarded today to His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah in recognition for his valuable contributions spanning more than three decades to the game in Asia.
Born on July 30, 1959 in Pahang, Malaysia, the 16th King of Malaysia developed an interest in football at a young age and his impact has been instrumental in raising the standards of the game on the Continent.
HM Al-Sultan Abdullah was quick to pay tribute to his late father Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah, who was also a recipient of the Diamond of Asia in 2011.
His Majesty said: “Football has been in my blood since I was a child and it is such a privilege to be part of a distinguished list of recipients that include some of the greatest personalities and legends in Asian football.
“Furthermore, I am happy to be able to honour my father’s legacy as he has contributed immensely to football in Malaysia and Asia. He is my source of inspiration and it is to him that I dedicate this award.
“I would also like to pay tribute to my colleagues who devoted their time and wise counsel through the years and brought Asian football to where it is today. We have made enormous strides in recent years, and I am confident that the AFC will continue to spread the joys of the game, unite and rally diverse communities and build on its strong foundations to usher greater success in the years to come.”
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/20191107_114425.html
