MANAMA, BAHRAIN: Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has thanked the Asian footballing family for its unerring support and the trust shown in him to continue leading Asia’s governing body and developing football throughout the continent. The statement came after the nominations deadline for the AFC’s elections for the 2015 to 2019 term passed on Saturday, a process which will see the AFC President stand for re-election unopposed. Shaikh Salman explained that having the confidence of the Member Associations provides great motivation to continue the work that began two years ago, a period of time during which a spirit of unity and solidarity has emerged. He added that since his election in 2013, several plans and programmes designed to help the development of the Asian game and increase its standing on the international stage have been implemented. Shaikh Salman continued by saying that the development of Asian football is a collective responsibility which can be achieved through the continuing partnership between both the AFC and its Member Associations – a partnership which is the cornerstone of the development process. In addition, Shaikh Salman explained that the AFC would spare no effort to continue its mission to provide support for the Member Associations and help them raise the standard of football in their own countries. The AFC President also noted that the confederation’s recent stability has helped create a better environment for the creation of development programs and the new initiatives that have already been of benefit to countries throughout Asia. Although proud of the achievements, Shaikh Salman reiterated the need for more initiatives and programmes that will further enhance Asian football, and help Member Associations to progress at all levels. The AFC President also expressed his belief that there was an even brighter future ahead for Asian football, a future that would be based on the unity and solidarity of the continent’s footballing family, and which would see, with the assistance of all the stakeholders, the defense of Asian interests at a global level as well as continual development.