April 10, 2011, Bangkok--HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein addressed today the ASEAN Football Federation's 18th Congress as the incoming FIFA Vice President representing Asia.
Prince Ali, who officially takes up his post at the FIFA Congress in June, shared his vision and ideas for energising the position of FIFA Vice President in the service of football development in Asia.
"I will work with you hand in hand, listen to your ideas and concerns to meet your aspirations in each and every one of our countries—AND--- in the best possible way that addresses your challenges; on a case-by-case basis," said Prince Ali.
Commenting on the idea of limiting the power of national associations by giving more decion-making authority to leaders of football confederations, Prince Ali pledged to " uphold" the rights of each member association and that he will "challenge any attempts to undermine the rights of any national association."
The newly elected FIFA VP also promised to introduce a new work ethic based on
"openness, integrity, fairness and transparency" adding that "transparency can only be proven through deeds and actions, not words or slogans". He urged all members to be "committed to working this way; without politics, and regardless of our differences."
Prince Ali also stressed the need to work together as one continent through more exchanges of experiences and expertise noting that Asia, as the largest and most diverse continent has the potential to rise on the world stage of football given the abundance of talent especially amongst the youth.
As the Congress unanimously elected HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah of Malaysia as the new President of the ASEAN Football Federation, Prince Ali congratulated the new President for his victory and underlined the importance of Asian unity. "I look forward to working closely with HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah as well as the elected Vice Presidents from East Timor, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam," Prince Ali said. He also extended an invitation to AFF members to attend the West Asian Football Federation's Congress in the near future in the spirit of friendship and unity in Asia.
For their part, the AFF leaders extended their felicitations to Prince Ali for his victory in the AFC elections in January and welcomed his participation at the Congress as a friend of the ASEAN football family in his capacity as President of West Asia Football Federation and as FIFA Vice President from Asia.
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