AFC President congratulates Hiroshi Kagawa for FIFA Presidential Award

The 90-year old, who received the award from FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, was the oldest media representative on duty at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the tenth time he has attended the global footballing extravaganza.

Shaikh Salman, who is currently in Australia for the AFC Asian Cup 2015, stated in a letter addressed to Mr Kagawa: “It is an honour for all of us in Asian football that your sustained quality work has been recognised by the world football governing body.

“As you know, at the AFC we are all working towards the development of Asian football, and your unparalleled passion, work ethic, and love for our game have helped immensely to grow our sport in Japan and Asia,” he added.

“The fact that you were the most senior media representative on duty at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is a demonstration of the aforementioned personal qualities.”

The AFC President concluded his message by thanking Mr Kagawa once again on behalf of Asian football for the journalist’s wonderful contribution to the sport.

The journalist from Kobe was honoured for his tireless work for football in Japan, which has significantly contributed to the growth in popularity of the game in his homeland thanks to his numerous articles and incredible passion for the game.

Kagawa’s first World Cup assignment as a journalist came at the 1974 World Cup final, and nine more would follow as he traversed the world from his home in Kobe, Japan.

He missed out on South Africa 2010 due to poor health, but was back for his tenth in Brazil.

“Football was something positive in the world and it was something I could do to help Japan,” Kagawa said about his first few steps into the world of football journalism in his fifa.com interview.

“I wanted Japan to join the world’s top teams and be a part of the larger world of football.”

Photo: AFP