Photo: ASEAN Football Federation (AFF)
The ASEAN Football Federation has been named the Asian Football Confederation’s Regional Association of the Year at the continental body’s annual awards in Riyadh on Thursday.
AFF president Major General Khiev Sameth received the award on behalf of the organisation, with the AFC paying tribute to the AFF for “setting the standard in staging top-level competitions”.
The AFF was praised for organising seven competitions over the last year, the most by any regional association in Asia, including the launch of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ and the latest edition of the ASEAN Women’s MSIG Serenity Cup™.
“The AFF has also firmly cemented its place as the hallmark of good governance and accountability, with its Statutes, Electoral Code, and other regulations fully aligned with the AFC and FIFA,” the AFC said.
“Furthermore, the AFF has continued to leverage the power of football as a force for social good, underscoring its solidarity and unity towards supporting the Confederation’s larger social responsibility objectives.”
There was further recognition for Southeast Asian football, with the Football Association of Thailand winning the AFC Member Association of the Year – Diamond award while the Lao Football Federation was awarded the AFC Member Association of the Year – Ruby.
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Malaysia picked up the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football – Silver.
However, there was disappointment for Johor Darul Ta’zim FC and Malaysia winger Arif Aiman as he missed out on the AFC Player of the Year Award, which was won by Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari for the second time since 2022. Arif was the first Malaysian and second ASEAN footballer in AFC history to be nominated for the prestigious recognition.
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