Australian Football now a full member of ASEAN · Yellow Fever Nga Wana Kowhai

over 12 years ago

We are about to officially become a full member of ASEAN.

The Super League and ASEAN Cup seems some kinda ASEAN champions league ... will I guess be good for networking in our region....

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/world-football/asia/12859-aff-to-bring-in-australia-and-announces-super-league-criteria

By Mark Baber

July 10 - ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad has welcomed Australia's upcoming accession to full membership whilst firming up the details of the planned ASEAN Super League.

Azzuddin, the former FA of Malaysia (FAM) general secretary, who took up his role with the AFF on July 1, said the ASEAN Super League (ASL), due to kick off in 2015, would restrict participating countries to field only two clubs each, and the eight month season will mean they will not be able to compete in their domestic leagues.

"The ASL has already received the approval of the AFF council. We now need the support of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to ensure it kicks off as planned. The ASL will offer only cash prize money but we may propose that the winner of the title be given a slot to play in the Asian Champions League (ACL)," he added.

Azzuddin also stated that an ad-hoc committee, under the leadership of AFF and FAM President Sultan Ahmad Shah, had been set up to discuss a possible ASEAN bid for the 2034 World Cup, but "I must also add that the World Cup bid is not something initiated by AFF, but rather was mooted by the ASEAN Foreign Affairs Ministries countries at their summit last year."

Azzuddin welcomed Australia's accession to full membership of ASEAN, which is to be formalised at an AFF Extraordinary Meeting prior to the AFF Extraordinary Congress on August 25, saying: "This is good for football. We have to look at it positively. We must not see this as a threat. There is so much to benefit from Australia's inclusion, including the expertise from the Australian Institute of Sports."

Azzuddin also confirmed Australian teams would not be participating in the AFF Suzuki Games saying, "I have seen the documents and Australia themselves have requested to sit out of the AFF Suzuki Games, but will compete in other age group and women's tournaments. They are aware that they are on a higher level compared to ASEAN countries and this is perhaps why they don't want to compete in the AFF Suzuki Cup."

Contact the writer of this story at mark.baber@insideworldfootball.com

Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei

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over 12 years ago

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/australia/news/1165351/Australia-joins-ASEAN-family

Australia joins ASEAN family

Australia has been admitted as a full member to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) after an extraordinary congress in Dili, Timor Leste.

Australia's admission, decided by way of a unanimous vote by the 11-member associations of AFF, will enable Australian national teams to participate in AFF competitions and ensure Australia enjoys full political membership of the regional body.

“Football Federation Australia is honoured to be admitted to the ASEAN Football Federation,” FFA general secretary and chief executive David Gallop said.

”We look forward to being an active member and to contributing to the ongoing development and success of football in our region.”

AFF president His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah welcomed the federation’s newest member.

“Timor Leste was the last member of AFF. It is only fitting we are all here today for this proud nation to pass the baton to Australia,” he said.

FFA director, AFC vice-president and FIFA executive committee member Moya Dodd looked to the future, saying: “Whilst this could be seen as the final piece in Australia’s integration into AFC, it is more appropriate to say this is the beginning of a mutual commitment to the advancement of football in South East Asia.”

The decision was alaso welcomed by AFF general secretary Lt General Dato Azzuddin Ahmad.

“FFA today joins the other 11 countries of AFF as an equal and we look forward to working closely with Australia in the years to come,” Ahmad said.

Australia is currently participating in the AFF under-16 boys championships in Myanmar and will also compete in the AFF women’s championships and AFF futsal championships this year.

The membership comes on the eve of an important milestone in the countdown to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia.

“Tomorrow will mark 500 days to go until the AFC Asian Cup comes to Australian shores. As a member of AFF, we will do our upmost to do ASEAN and indeed all of Asia proud,” Gallop said.

Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei

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