Kuala Lumpur: Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and First Vice President of FIFA, recently held a meeting with Song Kai, President of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), Nualphan Lamsam, President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), and Jerry Tan, President of the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association (NMIFA).
According to Bahrain News Agency, Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim discussed the AFC's policy of openness with the leaders of the Asian football community. The meeting aimed to reinforce relationships between the Confederation and national associations, aligning with the strategic interests of Asian football.
He emphasized that the AFC's strength is derived from its members and their active participation in its programs and development initiatives. Shaikh Salman highlighted the significance of regular meetings to exchange updates on the AFC's progress and future objectives while valuing feedback from national associations to propel the organization's development.
Shaikh Salman praised the associations for their contributions to the advancement of football in their countries. He stressed the need for continued support of their competitions and programs, which are essential for improving national teams and their coaching, refereeing, and administrative personnel.
The presidents of the football associations of China, Thailand, and the Northern Mariana Islands expressed gratitude to Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim for his continued efforts to engage with the Asian football community. They noted that his approach to fostering communication strengthens the connection between the AFC and national associations, positively impacting the growth of Asian football.