AFC 60th Anniversary and Annual Awards: The scene is set…

With guest performances from renowned singers Lea Salonga and Gary Valenciano, the gala event has drawn luminaries from throughout the continent to the Philippine capital, as Asia’s governing body prepares to recall its six decades of growth and prosperity as well as honouring the footballing stars, officials and administrators who have performed and served with distinction.

Things certainly have come a long way since the AFC’s relatively humble beginnings on May 8, 1954 when representatives from Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea Republic, Pakistan, the Philippines, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Singapore, and Vietnam met in Manila and founded what is now regarded as one of the most dynamic sport administrations around.

Of course, a cornerstone of the AFC’s rise has been the players and officials who ply their trade in the region, and in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary jamboree, there will be the inauguration of the AFC Hall of Fame, featuring the likes of Saudi Arabia’s Sami Al Jaber and Iranian legend Ali Daei, as well as the Annual Awards for 2014.

Like so many nights in the AFC’s extended history, it promises to be a distinctly special occasion.

Referee of the Year Award
Irmatov, Ravshan (Uzbekistan) – Officiated a world record ninth FIFA World Cup match at Brazil 2014
Mohammad Faghani, Alireza (Iran) – Officiated at the FIFA World Cup 2014 and AFC Champions League 2014, including the first leg of the final
Shukralla, Nawaf Abdulla Ghayyath (Bahrain) – Officiated at the FIFA World Cup 2014 and AFC Champions League 2014

Women Referee of the Year Award
Gani, Rita (Malaysia) – Officiated at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014, including a semi-final match
Kamnueng, Pannipar (Thailand) – Officiated at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014, including a semi-final match
Yamagishi, Sachiko (Japan) – Officiated at AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014, including the third place match

AFC National Team of the Year (Men)
DPR Korea – The AFC U-16 Championship 2014 winners
Palestine - The AFC Challenge Cup 2014 winners
Qatar – The AFC U-19 Championship 2014 winners

AFC Coach of the Year (Men)
Mahmoud, Jamal (Jordan) – Coach of Palestine national team that won the AFC Challenge Cup 2014
Popovic, Tony (Australia) – Coach of AFC Champions League 2014 winners Western Sydney Wanderers
Sasaki, Norio (Japan) – Coach of Japan women’s national team that won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014

AFC Coach of the Year (Women)
Hong, Gao (China) – Coach of China women’s national team at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2014
Srathongvian, Nuengrutai (Thailand) – Coach of Thailand women’s national team that finished fifth at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014 (qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015)
Takemoto, Asako (Japan) – Coach of Japan U-17 women’s national team that won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2014

AFC Club of the Year
Al Qadsia (Kuwait) – AFC Cup 2014 winners
FC HTTU (Turkmenistan) – AFC President’s Cup 2014 winners
Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia) – AFC Champions League 2014 winners

AFC Women’s Player of the Year
Gorry, Katrina Lee (Australia) – Scored three times for Australia at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014
Kawasumi, Nahomi (Japan) – Instrumental in Japan’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014 title win
Miyama, Aya (Japan) – Captained Japan to AFC Women’s Asian Cup glory in 2014

AFC Player of the Year
Ahmed, Ismail (UAE) – Defensive stalwart for Al Ain during the AFC Champions League 2014 campaign which saw the club reach the semi-final stage
Al Shamrani, Nassir (Saudi Arabia) – Prolific striker for the AFC Champions League 2014 finalists Al Hilal, finishing as the tournament’s second top scorer
Ibrahim, Khalfan (Qatar) – Helped Al Sadd reach the last eight of this year’s AFC Champions League, bringing leadership and experience from midfield