AFC President arrives in Bangkok for Annual Awards Gala

Thailand Football Association President Pol. Gen. Somyot Poompanmoung received Shaikh Salman, hailing his efforts in developing Asian football and expressing happiness that Bangkok is hosting the AFC Annual Awards this year.

Shaikh Salman expressed his happiness in visiting Thailand, stressing that hosting this year's AFC Annual Awards in Bangkok emphasises Thailand's position in Asian football.

The AFC President is also confident Thailand will deliver a hugely successful event and expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in the organisation of the AFC Annual Awards. 

On Tuesday, Shaikh Salman will chair the AFC Executive Committee meeting which will discuss several issues related to Asian football's development.

The AFC President will then attend the opening ceremony of the AFC Mini Pitch together with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, which was built under AFC's Social Responsibility Programme.

The Mini Pitch Scheme is part of the AFC President’s Initiatives for Asian Football which was launched in June 2014.

The introduction of the Mini Pitch Scheme is aimed at increasing the number of facilities available for grassroots and community football throughout Asia and 17 Member Associations will benefit from the scheme in the next two years.

All mini pitches built under the AFC President’s Initiatives are equipped with 3G artificial turf, two high quality futsal goals, strong surround fencing, a roof net and floodlights. The floodlights allow the pitches to be used during the hours of darkness, substantially increasing football-playing and income generation opportunities.