PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak complemented the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for its contributions to the development of football in the country and also in the Asian region.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Najib Razak (left) shakes hands with Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Hammam during the AFC Annual Awards 2010 ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. — AFP photo
He said since the establishment of the AFC for more than 55 years, football has taken root and expanded throughout the region.
“I believe the AFC has made important contributions to the cultivation of talented players and to spread of interest in football throughout our region and should be congratulated for all of its efforts,” he said after receiving the AFC Diamond Award at the AFC Awards Night 2010 here on Wednesday.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek and the Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
He said Asian football has grown rapidly from its humble beginning to become a force to be reckoned with.
“Anyone watching the performance of the Asian teams in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa can attest to Asia’s maturity as a true football contender after Japan and South Korea qualified for the second round,” he said.
Najib said Malaysia has played a prominent role throughout the history of AFC, beginning with the country’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, who served as AFC president in 1958.
“Tunku Abdul Rahman recognised the wisdom of investing in youth athletic activities and initiated youth competitions throughout his 20-year tenure.
“He is also credited with starting the Merdeka Tournament to mark the independence of Malaysia in 1957,” he said.
The AFC Diamond of Asia award was presented to the Prime Minister by the AFC president Mohamed Hammam.
The award was given annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of football in the region. According to Hammam, the AFC Executive Committee decided to honour Najib for his continuous support to the organisation since his years as Deputy Prime Minister and later as Prime Minister. — Bernama