By Our Correspondent/Kuala Lumpur
AFC Match Commissioners, Local General Coordinators and Local Media Officers have started their preparations for next season’s competitions.
The 2016 AFC Match Commissioner (December 7-9), Local General Coordinator (December 7-8) and Local Media Officer (December 7-8) Seminars kicked off in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
Almost 200 Match Commissioners, Local General Coordinators and Local Media Officers are taking part in the seminars which will cover a variety of topics including the participants’ roles and responsibilities, the AFC’s competitions calendar as well as legal, marketing and media matters.
“We kick off in January for the AFC U23 Championship Qatar 2016, showcasing the continent’s brightest future stars,” said AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John in his opening address.
“This year’s final tournament serves also as a qualifying competition for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition, with Qatar providing a top level setting, I am sure it will be a truly world class event.
“The club competition season starts at the end of January and we can expect the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup to keep growing their appeal next season. In 2015, more than 260 million people watched the ACL on television across the continent and a remarkable 2.25mn attended the games leading to record average attendances.
“The AFC Champions League has made extraordinary strides in the last few years and now, thanks to the quality of play, the television audiences, the attendances and the support of the 24 competing Member Associations – we have a club competition that few can match.
“Attendances in the AFC Cup were also up in 2015. At the play-off stage the AFC Cup attendances almost tripled, with 296 percent more spectators than in 2014. Also, importantly, the AFC Cup had a good competitive balance in 2015: a non-West Asian team, JDT from Malaysia, won this year. As you know, the trophy has been lifted mainly by West Asian teams in the past.
“February will see the 14th edition of the AFC Futsal Championship kicking off in Uzbekistan. Competition will be fierce, and the top five teams will qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016.
AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John.
