February 21 – While FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been active in the South-east Asian region, the Asian Football Confederation’s own president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has similarly been travelling inaugurating a new Football Association of Thailand (FAT) headquarters in Bangkok on Saturday and yesterday visiting the new President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Lt General Edy Rahmayadi.
Salman’s message of Asian support and unity were clear. Praising FAT, who for the first time own their headquarters, he said: “But bricks alone do not make an organisation. What will drive the FA of Thailand is your determination and the determination of your staff to deliver a better future for the game in this country
“That determination and energy is already shining through with offices which will house all the departments here in Bangkok.”
Thailand is one of the breakthough nations in Asian football having won the last two editions of the AFF Cup and made it through to the final rounds of World Cup 2018 qualification. While qualification for Russia now looks to be out of their reach, they still posted a 2-2 draw with Australia in their last qualfication match in what is a very competitive group that includes Japan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
While Thailand is breaking down barriers, Indonesia is further behind on the development curve though Shaikh Salman delivered a strong message to Lt General Rahmayadi in Jakarta yesterday, saying that Indonesia is a “power house of Asian football and an important member of the AFC.”
Indonesian football administration is emerging from a long period of internal division with split organisations and various conflicts, but the AFC is confident that it is now on the right track. “The potential for football is incredible here in Indonesia and needs to be realised. Now we have a new leadership at the PSSI and I am convinced that under the vision and guidance of President Lt Gen Edy Rahmayadi, football will grow here and regain its former glory,” said Salman.
Rahmayadi replied: “We are new and we need the AFC’s support. I assure you that Indonesian football will flourish in the days to come with the AFC’s support.”
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