Sultan Ahmad Shah is new AFF President

Sultan Ahmad Shah meeting the delegates

HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah is the new President of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) after he won the post uncontested during the regional body’s 18th Congress in Bangkok, Sunday.

  
The other nominee for the top post, FA of Thailand President, Dato’ Worawi Makudi, who is also a FIFA Exco member, decided to withdraw from contesting.

HRH Sultan Ahmad, a former AFC President and current President of the FA of Malaysia, replaces long-serving Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Al-Haj Tengku Ismail, who decided not to seek re-election this year.

Tengku Ahmad has been AFF President since 1996 (when the AFF was revived) and has played a major part in AFF’s tremendous success over the years which includes the hosting of the immensely popular regional
football tournament now known as the AFF Suzuki Cup.

In his inauguration speech today, HRH Sultan Ahmad thanked Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen for his leadership. “I hope to lead the management team to further enhance the solidarity and level of Asean football. It
is indeed fitting for all of us to render our appreciation to Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen who served as president for five terms since 1996.

HRH Sultan Ahmad went on to comment:” I urge all members of the AFF to maintain and enhance the strong sustainable solidarity that has been well established. Only with a strong foundation can we further enhance
the capacity, quality and capability of football.

During the Congress, three new Vice-Presidents were voted in. They were Brig Gen Khiev Sameth from Cambodia, Francisco Kabualdi Lay from Timor Leste and Viphet Sihachakr from Laos.Duong Vu Lam from Vietnam retained his vice-presidency.

Prior to the elections today, members attending the Congress had agreed to consider a rotation format for future elections. The details and implementation are to be discussed by the new AFF Council.

Tengku Ahmad, in his parting words, thanked the members for their support over the years. “I have enjoyed working with all of you and wish the new office bearers the very best.”

He was later appointed the Honorary President of the AFF.


Just before the first AFF Council Meeting for session 2011/2015 concluded, the members of the Council were given a presentation by the ASEAN secretariat on the possibility of hosting the 2030 World Cup.

Malaysian Youth and Sports Deputy Minister, Datuk Razali Ibrahim, led the delegation which made the presentation to the AFF Council. HRH Sultan Ahmad later proposed that a committee was formed by the AFF to look into the bid proposal and work closely with the ASEAN secretariat.