AFC President Reaffirms Commitment to Enhancing Professionalism and Governance Standards

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), reaffirmed on Thursday the confederation’s commitment to continue supporting its member national and regional associations and working closely with them to enable them to realize their ambitions and elevate standards of professionalism and governance, thereby enhancing the development of football across the Asian continent.

This statement was issued by the continental body, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, following the conclusion of the fourth edition of the 2026 AFC National and Regional Associations Presidents and Secretaries-General Conference, hosted in Tokyo, Japan, over two days. The event featured discussions and the exchange of expertise and insights on the future of the game in Asia.

Sheikh Salman expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the participants for their support and contributions, emphasizing that the conference served as an important platform to showcase the achievements attained in Asian football and to explore new horizons for progress and development, contributing to raising the level of the game on the continent. He expressed confidence that the discussions held at the conference would benefit the future of Asian football, commending the contributions of guest speakers and the expertise and knowledge they shared, which enriched the dialogue and broadened the scope of cooperation among member associations.

He clarified that the conference aimed to exchange ideas, expand the knowledge base, and strengthen professional relationships among Asian football leaders, expressing confidence in the conference’s success in achieving these objectives.

He reiterated that member national and regional associations lie at the core of the AFC’s work and priorities, stressing the need to continue close collaboration with them by enhancing their capacities and providing the necessary tools to help them maintain the highest standards of professionalism and governance, thereby supporting the sustainable development of football in Asia.

He expressed his appreciation to the Japan Football Association for the warm reception, hospitality, and excellent organizational standards of the conference, affirming that these efforts contributed to providing a positive experience for the participants. (End) E.A.B. / M.A.A.