AFC inaugurates Hall of Fame at Manila gala event

Ten players were inducted in the Philippine capital, with the likes of Iranian legends Homayoun Bhezadi and Ali Daei, Japanese duo Yasuhiko Okudera and Homare Sawa as well as Saudi Arabia star Sami Al Jaber all recognised for their services to Asian football.

The AFC has also inducted Malaysia’s Dato’ Soh Chin Aun, Sun Wen from China, Korea Republic’s Hong Myung-bo, Baichung Bhutia from India and Australia’s Harry Kewell, with Bhutia quick to acknowledge the Hall of Fame’s significance for him on a personal level.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter presented the nominees with mementos of the auspicious occasion.

"It's a great honour to be in the Hall of Fame,” the former India national team captain told www.the-afc.com.

“It means a lot to me, especially as I have pushed all the way throughout my career to achieve the very best I could. However, I want to share this honour with all the past, present and future players and coaches who battle against adversity to play football in India.

“It is great to be remembered, because all too often players who retire are quickly forgotten and this is a reminder of their contributions to football,” added the Sikkim-born star who played in his native India as well as England and Malaysia during a glittering career.

Meanwhile, Saudi legend and former Al Hilal player and coach Al Jaber applauded the AFC’s launch of the Hall of Fame initiative.

“It is great that the AFC is recognising former players in this way. It really is a great step forward,” he said.

“For me personally, the respect and honour that comes with being inducted into the Hall of Fame means an awful lot, and rates very highly in my career highlights.

“It is important to have this Hall of Fame, as all those being inducted have great footballing records and a superb pedigree, it is excellent that they are being remembered in this way,” the current Al Arabia technical manager concluded.