afc-magazine11

INTERVIEW: SHAIKH SALMAN BIN EBRAHIM AL KHALIFA
but unfortunately the results did not reflect
that. However, top level competitions, and
especially so the FIFA World Cup, provide
an invaluable incentive for development. The
number of places should not merely reflect
previous success, cementing the status quo.
You were head of the
FIFA taskforce for the
International Match
Calendar 2018-24, do
you hope we can start
looking forward to the
2022 FIFA World Cup?
Based on the taskforce’s recommendation,
the FIFA Executive Committee decided in
March that the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
will be played in November and December
2022. The final will take place on 18
December 2022 – Qatar’s National Day, which
should be a great occasion. Of course I am
very much looking forward to it, as Qatar 2022
will be the first time the West Asian region
hosts a FIFA World Cup, only the second FIFA
World Cup to be held in Asia. The Gulf is a
true football region, with some of the world’s
most passionate football lovers, and Qatar is
no exception. I am happy that the region will
have a chance to show this passion to the
world. The AFC and the whole Asian football
community all look forward to hosting the
FIFA World Cup, and welcoming the world.
The venue for the 2019
AFC Asian Cup has been
decided; can the United
Arab Emirates match the
success of Australia?
The AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Australia
clearly set a benchmark and yes, that
bar was set very high in January. But the
United Arab Emirates has all the necessary
elements in place for matching Australia’s
success. And actually, we should not
forget that there is even more at stake in
the 2019 edition of the AFC Asian Cup:
the number of teams has been extended
from 16 to 24, which gives more Member
Associations the opportunity to participate
in Asia’s flagship national team competition
and grow football in their country. It will also
help to grow the competition itself further by
involving more nations, more fans and more
commercial partners across Asia. With these
developments we can definitely expect an
exciting tournament.
Success at the top level
is important, but what
is being done to aid the
development of youth
and women’s football?
The AFC has two specific annual initiatives
for both: the AFC Women’s Football Day was
inaugurated this year and it took place on the
international women’s day on March 8; and the
AFC Grassroots Football Day was organised
for the third time this year on May 15. Most
of our Member Associations were actively
involved in both, and it is a pleasure to see
how boys and girls, despite their level or social
background, enjoy playing football all across
Asia. Also, it is important to add that the AFC’s
Financial Assistance Programme specifically
earmarks funds for women’s football which
many Associations avail of to develop the
women’s game in their countries. Also our
development programmes emphasise the
importance of grassroots, as children, today’s
grassroots players, are tomorrow’s national
team stars. Asia will not be able to fulfil its
potential and fill the gap unless we have a
360 degree view on football development with
a strong emphasis on youth and women’s
football.
AFC QUARTERLY 37