Ahead of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Extraordinary Congress to be held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 6 April 2019, Football Federation Australia (FFA) has confirmed its nomination of FFA President (Chairman), Mr Chris Nikou, who will run for a position on the AFC Executive Committee.
Nikou, who was elected as FFA President in November 2018, will seek one of the six ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) zone seats on the AFC Executive Committee. If elected he would serve a four-year term.
Speaking following the confirmation of his nomination, Nikou said he would be honoured to serve on the AFC Executive Committee.
“Australia is committed to continuing to play its part in the development of football in Asia,” Nikou said.
“Since joining the AFC in 2006, FFA has sought to learn from as well as engage with our fellow Member Associations in Asia.
"We have also shared knowledge and expertise through serving on various AFC committees, added to the commercial growth of Asian football and delivered a range of development programs across the Confederation.
"Australia’s hosting of the AFC Asian Cup in 2015 also set a new benchmark for Asia’s flagship event, and I was privileged to have served on the Board of its Local Organising Committee.”
“During my time as FFA President I am determined to place a stronger emphasis on our engagement in Asia, and I believe I can play a meaningful role in helping AFC achieve its vision to be the world’s leading confederation, to ensure Asian teams succeed on the world stage, and to make football the number one sport throughout the continent.
“While having a seat on the AFC Executive Committee comes with significant responsibility, it is one that I embrace with a spirit of optimism for Asian football, and with a commitment to working hard for the interests AFC.”
The upcoming AFC Extraordinary Congress would also see the conclusion of Moya Dodd’s term on the AFC Executive Committee, and Nikou paid tribute to her contribution.
“I would also like to acknowledge Moya Dodd, who has represented Australia with distinction on the AFC Executive Committee over the past 12 years. Moya has played an instrumental role in world football, especially with regard to making the game more inclusive for women and girls at all levels – from the boardroom to the grassroots,” Nikou concluded.
Comprised of the AFC President and 24 elected members from the 47 Member Associations that make up the AFC, the AFC Executive Committee is responsible for implementing the AFC’s statutes, the decisions of the AFC Congress, as well as ratifying decisions made by AFC’s Standing Committees.
