Saitama: Asia’s top leagues senior executives and hosts of AFC’s future competitions were given first-hand experience of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) match day organisation at the AFC Champions League final at Saitama Stadium 2002.
The tour before the AFC Champions League Final 2017 between Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) and Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) on Saturday was aimed at providing an overview of the AFC match day venue set up.
The main focus of the tour included hospitality facilities in VVIP and VIP areas, broadcast and media facilities, pitch and competition zones, stadium perimeter and surroundings before the match.
Representatives from the Local Organising Committees of the next two big competitions – AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and AFC U-23 Championship China 2018, as well as CEOs of AFC Champions League Participating Member Association League were part of the tour.
“This observation programme was very valuable and helpful for the members of the Local Organising Committee of the AFC U-23 Championship China 2018 in improving their preparations. It will help us with better understanding of the AFC competition standards," said Qi Jun, Director of the Competitions Department of the Chinese Football Association.
The delegation included AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 LOC Tournament Director Aref Al Awani along with Suhail Al Areefi and Adel Al Yaqoubi, AFC U-23 Championship China 2018 LOC led by Jiangsu FA General Secretary Lin Feng, CFA Competitions Director Qi Jun, Hong Kong Premier League CEO Mark Sutcliffe, Korea League CEO Han Oung Soo, Qatar Stars League CEO Hany Taleb Ballan and Uzbekistan Professional Football League Director Omon Gafurov.
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com