HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah helms AFF

His Royal Highness Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah is the newPresident 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 post, FA of Thailand President, Dato’ Worawi Makudi, who is also a FIFA Exco member, decided to withdraw from contesting the top post.
HRH Sultan Ahmad, a former AFC President and current President of theFA of Malaysia, replaces long-serving Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tengku AhmadRithauddeen Al-Haj Tengku Ismail, who decided not to seek re-electionthis year.
Tengku Ahmad has been AFF President since 1996 (when the AFF wasrevived) and has played a major part in AFF’s tremendous success overthe years which includes the hosting of the immensely popular regionalfootball tournament now known as the AFF Suzuki Cup.
In his inauguration speech, HRH Sultan Ahmad thanked TengkuAhmad 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 TengkuTan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen who served as president for five terms since1996.
HRH Sultan Ahmad went on to comment:” I urge all members of the AFF tomaintain and enhance the strong sustainable solidarity that has beenwell established. Only with a strong foundation can we further enhancethe capacity, quality and capability of football.
During the Congress, three new Vice-Presidents were voted in. Theywere Brig Gen Khiev Sameth from Cambodia, Francisco Kabualdi Lay fromTimor Leste and Viphet Sihachakr from Laos.
Pengiran Matusin Matasan from Brunei and Ravy Khek did not seek re-election while Duong Vu Lam from Vietnam retained his vice-presidency.
Prior to the elections Sunday, members attending the Congress hadagreed to consider a rotation format for future elections. The detailsand implementation are to be discussed by the new AFF Council.

(HRH visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week at PM residential Palace,Cambodia)