Doha: His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA), participated in the 32nd AFC Congress, which was held at noon today, Wednesday, via video conference, with the participation of the heads of member federations and AFC officials.

The General Assembly was also attended by Mr Hani Taleb Ballan, member of the Executive Office of the QFA and Mr Mansour Al-Ansari, Secretary-General of the QFA.

At the outset, His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation, reiterated the commitment of the member national and regional associations to support the sustainable return of Asian football in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In these times, as we look at the events that have taken place, it is clear that the AFC, the national and regional associations are heading in the right direction towards recovery,” the AFC president said.

During the General Assembly meeting, the attendees were briefed on China’s decision to withdraw from hosting the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Given the emergency nature of the situation, it was decided to delegate the Executive Committee to choose an alternative host (after submitting nomination files through the AFC), and more details regarding the selection process will be announced in due course.

The General Assembly also approved the financial audit reports for the year 2021 and approved the proposed amendments to the articles of association, which affirm the AFC’s commitment to good governance.

After his speech, the AFC President announced his intention to run for re-election at the thirty-third meeting of the General Assembly, which will be held in Bahrain from February 1-2, 2023.

Sheikh Salman said: “As you know, my second term as president of the Asian Football Confederation began in 2019, and it ends next year in 2023, and I would like to inform you today that I will run for re-election in 2023.”

He concluded: “I hope to gain your trust and support again for a new term as AFC President.”

The thirty-second General Assembly also adopted the report of the Secretary-General on the period preceding the meeting, along with the concluding remarks of the President, and considered the proposals submitted by the member federations and the executive authority.