AIPS ASIA News:

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has been presented with the inaugural AFC President’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution at Tuesday’s glittering AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 in Korea Republic.

The AFC introduced the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution this year to celebrate the exceptional efforts by a Member Association or an individual towards elevating football development in Asia, with the SAFF emerging as worthy recipients for playing a pivotal role in supporting the larger Asian football family.
 
Underlining his appreciation to the SAFF, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has continued to lead the way in Asian unity and solidarity in recent years, and this historic award is a tribute to their commitment to enhance the development of Asian football.
 
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to play a more instrumental role not only in Asian football, but in the global game and the AFC will continue to work in close partnership with the SAFF to support their ambitions.”
 
Under the leadership of President Yasser Almisehal, the SAFF has been ever ready to answer the clarion call, serving as neutral match venue hosts and supporting the staging of several marquee AFC events, which include the highly acclaimed AFC Member Associations and Regional Associations Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference in 2023 and 2024, as well as hosting numerous AFC committee meetings.
 
The Federation has also made progressive strides in the advancement of women’s football in recent years, with the introduction of its SAFF Women’s Premier League in October 2022 and its women’s national team marking its debut on the international football stage in September 2021 before officially entering the FIFA World Ranking in March 2023.
 
Additionally, the Kingdom will be the focal point of two of the most prestigious tournaments in the AFC calendar – the AFC Champions League Elite™ Final Stage 2024/25 and 2025/26, as well as the AFC Asian Cup™ in 2027, reinforcing their standing as a model Member Association on the Continent.

Images from the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023 are available to the media at photos.the-afc.com with the following credentials: Username: aaa23media and Password: Aaa2023media

Courtesy AFC