AFC Diamond of Asia 2015: The late Abdullah Khalid Al Dabal

A genuine footballing hero not only to the entire Asian continent, but also to the world, Al Dabal made a huge contribution to the growth of the AFC. He was a man who loved football and had a decisive impact on the progress and promotion of the game.

Al Dabal was chairman of the AFC Competitions’ Committee, a former FIFA Executive Committee member (1986 – 2002) and a long-serving member of the Organizing Committee for the FIFA World Cup (1990 – 2006), Abu Khalid was involved in countless top-level exchanges and advised many other top bodies in the game.

He was also member of the AFC Executive Committee (1986 – 2002), and Chairman of the AFC Development Committee. In addition to being a member of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 Organizing Committee. He was also President of Al-Ittifaq Football Club.

He had held many positions in the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. He was president of the Professionalism Committee and member of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

He was a man with a deep love for football who became an instrumental force in improving and promoting the game. His dedication and numerous achievements were of such value to the world of football that at the Centennial FIFA Congress in 2004, he was recognised with the very special distinction of ‘Honorary Member of FIFA’.

His enormous contribution was not only to Asian football but also world football and shall never be forgotten. The fact that he was heading key AFC Standing Committees such as the AFC Competitions’ Committee and the AFC Club Competitions Organizing Committee speaks for itself.

Al Dabal’s son Fahad was in New Delhi to collect the award on behalf of his late father

He said: ‘It is my pleasure to stand before you I am greatly honoured and humbled in receiving this award on behalf of my family. I would like to thank Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and the whole Asian football community for recognising the contribution of my late father.'