AFC chief welcomes English clubs if they leave a legacy 09/10/2008 |
|
| |
| |
The head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Wednesday his organisation welcomed visits from Premier League clubs as long as they left a legacy for the region.
England's leading clubs have been falling over themselves in recent years in their rush to establish relations with China and other Asian nations, with all the marketing opportunities that come with it.
"Asia is enjoying a strong economy and that's why so many big clubs in Europe and South America are facing towards us," AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam told the Leaders in Football conference at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground on Wednesday.
"But there is no doubt that when any Premier League club visits any country in Asia the fans in Asia are the biggest winners. Also national associations, coaches, referees who see what the European clubs, particularly the Premier League clubs, are all about.
"So I always welcome these clubs coming to Asia, passing on the experience and know-how but as long as they leave a legacy.
"I want to see something left behind for youths, clubs, coaches - not just play and leave."
The whole of Asian football is undergoing an enormous overhaul under the guidance of Bin Hammam, with Europe, and particularly the Champions League, the model they aspire to.
However, the logistical challenge of the AFC's "Vision Asia" project, covering 46 countries of wildly varying economic strength and containing two thirds of the world's population, is enormous.
HUGE SCRUTINY
"We have modernised competition regulations, engaged professional personnel and professionalised referees," Bin Hammam said.
"We've told clubs they have to be commercial entities, in many cases this meant a transformation and commitment from State governments to change the laws of their countries.
"When we insisted on good governance throughout our region we opened ourselves up to huge scrutiny and the resistance at the time was overwhelming."
The AFC has established strict off-field criteria for clubs wanting to compete in its Champions League, so strict that only seven qualified for next year's expanded competition.
"We spoke to 23 countries, only Japan met all the criteria. Others found out what they needed to do and I'm extremely proud of what they have done to get into line," he said.
The game is growing though, from Guam to China, he said. "We are seeing increasing attendances, increasing TV revenues and the establishment of professional associations.
"Our target is to make the AFC Champions League comparable and competitive with the European Champions League. It's ambitious, but it is achievable."
One aspect of the Premier League that Asia does not want to emulate though is the current financial mess that many clubs find themselves in.
"The whole debt thing is a new topic for me," he said. "It just doesn't exist for us."
Source: Reuters)
|
| Back |
| |
| |
|
|
 |
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
