AFC invites bids to move HQ

[Dasher39]

AFC invites bids to move HQ (http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_167838119.html)
29 July 2008

http://images.the-afc.com/images/common/articleimage/primary/AFC%20House_190.jpg
The AFC House

KUALA LUMPUR: AFC will invite bids from the Member Associations to host its headquarters, which is currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The AFC Executive Committee at its meeting on Tuesday decided to open bids to the Member Associations for hosting the AFC headquarters. The proposal will now be tabled in the AFC Congress in May, 2009.

The AFC Secretariat began its functioning from Hong Kong after the formation of the governing body in Manila, Philippines, on May 8, 1954, and moved to Penang, Malaysia, in 1965 after Koe Ewe Tek took over as its General Secretary.

The secretariat moved again ten years later, this time in Malaysia’s Ipoh when Dato’ Teoh Chye Hin became the General Secretary.

With Dato’ Peter Velappan taking over the reins in 1978, the secretariat was shifted to Kuala Lumpur. Two temporary offices and 12 years later, AFC got its own building in the capital’s Bukit Jalil area where it presently housed.I wonder if this is something that Australia would consider?

There are a large number of Australian's that currently work at The AFC and one of our strong benefits is our professional administration in Australia.

Still, I don't see any great need to move from it's current base, but it would be great if we were to house The AFC in our own backyard.

[TopherPlus]

Too much opposition from Western Asian countries i'd bet. We're the furthest from them. They've got money to burn and would probably love to build a shiny new football shaped building or something.

[dechardonay]

i agree it's a silly move to move it. i would be against australia going for it because the west asians are too far away, and that's where some of the most powerful football is in this continent.

having said that, though, where it is at the moment disadvantages them anyway, and any likely move anywhere else in east asia would still disadvantage them.

similar, a move to west asia, which would be another likely bidder (me looks at qatar)

...anywhere in between... maybe goa in india?... would be an odd spot to put it. maybe uzbekistan. so perhaps a move there would be almost sensible, and contribute to growing the sport in those nations. that would be my sensible suggestion.

but you watch, the front runners will be australia japan and qatar.

[NUFCMVFC]

'Selfish' Bin Hammam under attack

30 July 2008 | 15:40 - SBS EXCLUSIVE: Philip Micallef


Peter Velappan (L) and AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam (R) launch the AFC Asian Cup 2007 trophy and logo in 2006 (Getty)

Former Asian Football Confederation secretary Peter Velappan has blasted president Mohamed bin Hammam for starting the process of taking the home of Asian football away from Malaysia.

The AFC has invited its member associations to make bids to host the game's headquarters.

But Velappan, who basically ran Asian football from 1978 till four years ago, said he was stunned to learn of bin Hammam's initiative.

"I am deeply shocked by this totally outrageous move and I can see no logical reason for this to happen," Velappan said from his home in Kuala Lumpur.

"The president is showing selfishness and a complete disregard for the history of Asian football.

"Malaysia has provided leadership and financial assistance for 30 years and it has built up Asian football from zero.

"But the president obviously has a hidden agenda and ulterior motives. Who knows, he might want the AFC to move to his country Qatar, that has a lot of money because of oil."

Velappan, who is retired but still carries considerable influence among the 46 members of the AFC, vowed that he would fight this initiative with all his power.

"I will personally make sure that Malaysia's interests are protected. What's wrong with Kuala Lumpur? All 46 members of the AFC are happy for Asian football to call Kuala Lumpur home. They take great pleasure in coming here.

"We have all the facilities here and most importantly Malaysia is convenient for everyone because it is roughly in the middle of the continent."

Since becoming AFC president in 1996, bin Hammam has overseen the naming of Qatar as the venue of the 2011 Asian Cup and the United Arab Emirates as hosts of the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cup.

The AFC said it wanted to protect the interests of its members.

"We have no problem with Malaysia," AFC director of new media Sean Tohidi said.

"All the AFC is trying to do is get a good deal for everyone ... and that includes Malaysia."

Football Federation Australia said it was not interested in bidding to become the headquarters of the game's governing body.

The proposal to move house will be tabled at the AFC Congress in May, 2009.


The AFC secretariat began functioning from Hong Kong after the formation of the governing body in Manila, Philippines, on May 8, 1954.

It moved to Malaysia in 1965, first to Penang, 10 years later to Ipoh and three years later to its current headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.


Looks like this has irked a couple of people

Smart move on Australias part in not going for it

[El Zilcho]

Singapore is the logical base. They are a weak and fairly neutral nation in the region, have good corporate facilities and are a regional transit hub.

[NUFCMVFC]

^^^ Agreed actually, they have some significant regional (football) media assets based there too by the looks of it, like ESPN Star Sports

http://www.espnstar.com/ and http://www.espnstar.com/media-player/ - if you go through the media player section you find not only the Asian EPL commentary etc but also substantial Asian regional commentary, so it makes sense that the AFC headquarters should be close to all of that from a media sense as they can develop contacts etc

[dom_105]

With the addition of Australia, Singapore is probably as close to the geographical centre of Asia as you are going to get, 6100kms from Singapore to Melbourne & 7100kms from Singapore to Iraq. Pretty good move, if it eventuates.

[The Frederick]

Pyongyang FTW.

[take_no_prisoners]

Singapore is the logical base. They are a weak and fairly neutral nation in the region, have good corporate facilities and are a regional transit hub.

and Malaysia isn't?

[gweeds]

Probably will go to a cashed up Gulf State.

[NUFCMVFC]

Malaysia won't bid for AFC head office (http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/asia/malaysia-wont-bid-for-afc-head-office-143183/#opinions30_2)

Malaysia faces losing the headquarters of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) which it has hosted for nearly half a century after relations with the sporting body soured.

AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam has proposed shifting its base from the impressive eight-year-old facility on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur and invited applications from the body's 46 member nations.

"It is not about problems with anyone. Simply, we are an international organisation and we want headquarters in a country that can cater to our functions as a governing body," he said in a statement.

"The bidding is open to all 46 member associations, including Malaysia, Singapore and Bangkok."

Bin Hammam's plan, unveiled during a July meeting of the AFC's governing body, has come under fire from Malaysian officials including former AFC general secretary Peter Velappan.

He has described the proposal as "a total disrespect to all Malaysian leaders and staff who have worked very hard to develop and promote football in Asia".

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said it would not attempt to convince the AFC to stay.

"They have decided to move out and Malaysia will not bid to host the AFC headquarters," FAM general secretary Azzuddin Ahmad said.

"The AFC is an independent entity. We will not stop them if they want to move out."

Ties between the two bodies took a turn for the worse last year when Malaysia decided to invite the glamour English Premier League side Manchester United for a friendly during the Asian Cup.

The AFC strongly criticised Malaysia's plan which it saw as drawing attention away from its premier event and subsequently the Red Devils dropped their tour plans.

Malaysia co-hosted the Asian Cup along with Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Azzuddin said Malaysia was not "angry or annoyed" with Bin Hammam's plan.

"It will be an historical loss for us. But it is beyond our control," he said, noting however that the president has to secure a two-thirds approval from member countries before relocating the headquarters.

The AFC is to discuss its plan to leave AFC House during its annual meeting in Shanghai next month.

...

[NUFCMVFC]

By the sounds of it, this may be turning into a bit of a bitter dispute


Mooted AFC move causes rumbles of discontent (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=581602&sec=global&cc=3436)

October 14, 2008

BANGKOK, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Mooted plans to move the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters out of Kuala Lumpur have triggered discontent around the continent and concerns over a possible east-west split.

The AFC is dissatisfied with its Malaysian hosts and sources say several cities in the oil-rich Gulf have shown interest in giving the AFC a new home, offering perks Malaysia has refused to grant.

Malaysian soccer officials say the south-east Asian bloc ASEAN and several prominent east Asian nations vehemently oppose a move, fearing loss of commercial revenue and the growing Arab power and influence over Asian soccer.

Azuddin Ahmad, secretary-general of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), said the AFC belonged in Kuala Lumpur, its home for 43 years.

"The AFC was born in Malaysia, it is the history, there is a sentimental attachment," Azuddin told Reuters.

"We are against a move. There is a consensus in countries in ASEAN and a strong feeling on the East Asia side. Everyone is against this.

"People in the Middle East can plant money trees but they can't just elbow us out," he added.

Japanese and Chinese officials would not reveal their stance but sources, requesting anonymity, said complaints had been made privately, some suggesting a possible east-west split if a relocation went ahead.

South Korea said it was against a move from Kuala Lumpur because the city was perfectly located in a region stretching from Jordan to Australia.

"We think it will be a big debate. We are not in favour of moving and we need an explanation about what the decision will be," Ka Sam-hyun, general secretary of the Korean Football Association, told Reuters.

"We do not know what the intention of the president of the AFC is and we have to see what the other candidate cities are."

Malaysia and the AFC have been at odds for the last two years over issues including ownership of the land the headquarters is built upon and the FAM's reluctance to reschedule a visit by Manchester United, which fell during the 2007 Asian Cup, the AFC's biggest event.

However, the AFC's Qatari president Mohamed Bin Hammam last month said Malaysia would be first given the right of refusal in hosting the body.

"We need terms and conditions we can agree upon and which both parties can commit to," Bin Hammam said on the AFC's website.

"That is the reason we are looking at shifting our headquarters."

Bin Hammam gave no comment when contacted.

Prospective Arab bidders are expected to offer the AFC tax breaks, accommodation for employees and, possibly, diplomatic status, incentives Malaysia is not willing to provide.

There is widespread speculation that Bangkok and Singapore are also interested in becoming hosts and Bin Hammam has said both are entitled to bid. Thai and Singaporean officials would not comment.

Azuddin said Malaysia was reluctant to respond to what it felt were threats by the AFC, insisting it has support of most of the member countries, including several Middle East nations.

According to the AFC's statutes, a move of the headquarters requires the approval of 70 percent of its 46 members at next year's congress in May.

"Everyone is against this and even if half the members supported a move, it's not enough," Azuddin added.

"It's a non issue. No one can bulldoze their way in."


Personally i think Singapore would be a good choice, it is where there is a bit of international media institutions based, the Araba have Al Jazeera but that doesen't have some of the influence that some of the pseudo western/Asian media outlets in Singapore has

Antoher issue is that Singapore is a better base for big international organisations given the nature of the workforce and ethic etc, not sure that some of the Arab countries have that, although Dubai are trying to position themselves as such (serious international hub and not just an Oil State) and I can see them being a seriously interested bidder

It is interesting because there are strong cases for cities on both sides of the equation, but will mean a suspicion of power being tipped too much on one side, ie becoming too Arab centric and open to meddling or vice versa

[NUFCMVFC]

They've put their criteria up


Criteria for AFC HQ bid countries (http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_168297023.html)

http://images.the-afc.com/images/common/articleimage/primary/afc_house_Primary.jpg
AFC House in Kuala Lumpur is the current headquarters for the AFC.

KUALA LUMPUR: Member Associations (MA) bidding to host the AFC headquarters have until 31 December, 2008 to submit their bid documents.

In the meantime, MAs have until 31 October, 2008 to state their intention to bid, according to a letter sent by AFC to all 46 MAs. There can be more than one city bidding from the same country.

An AFC Ad Hoc Committee, which was set up to determine the minimum criteria that potential hosts must satisfy, has come out with the following requirements.

Criteria for AFC Headquarters


http://www.the-afc.com/uploads/Documents/common/cms/afc/criteriahq.pdf

[XYNO]

Dubai will get it IMO ...money talks

[dechardonay]

it ought to stay south-east, or maybe central (say delhi or somewhere in goa?) malaysia was great as it's a fairly neutral state culturally (muslim country, but still very eastern) it's a shame they're moving.