YANGON (11 Aug 2011) – Tokuaki Suzuki, the AFC Director of Competitions is convinced that Myanmar have huge potential to upgrade themselves to the higher-tier AFC Cup competition in 2012 from the current AFC President’s Cup.
Suzuki made the statement following a meeting with the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) and Myanmar National League officials here this week.
“Myanmar have huge potential to upgrade themselves to the second-tier AFC Cup clubs competition but they still need to follow up on several matters such as media facilities and stadium floodlights installation by the deadline of 14 October,” said Suzuki.
“The final deadline for MFF to submit documents and photographs of the stadiums is (also) 14 October and AFC will decide on Myanmar’s qualification for the AFC Cup on 23 November (at the AFC Executive Committee meeting).
“AFC will work with the federation very closely and make our best efforts to assist the development of football in Myanmar.”
Tokuaki, who is also AFC Director of Professional Football Project, led a delegation from AFC to the ASEAN nation from 5 to 9 August to inspect six stadiums.
MFF President U Zaw Zaw during the meeting thanked Suzuki and his team for sharing their knowledge and inspection results with all club owners.
“The inspection result and information will help us understand better and to improve our professional football in Myanmar,” he said.
The meeting was followed by a workshop for representatives from 12 clubs during which AFC Competitions Manager Benjamin Tan made a presentation on stadium assessments, club competitions structure as well as stadium, match and media operations.
AFC Development Manager Maksat Klychmamedov then presented on stadium survey and marketing matters.
Myanmar club Yadanarbon are currently participating in the current edition of the AFC President’s Cup and have advanced to the final stage to be held in Chinese Taipei on 19-25 September.
Yadanarbon are also the champions of the 2010 edition of the AFC President’s Cup, an achievement that prompts Myanmar to try to compete on a tougher level, the AFC Cup, with the continent’s top-tier AFC Champions League competition being the next goal for Myanmar in 2014 or 2015.
