Football Australia Chair Chris Nickou will serve another four years on the Executive Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after his re-election on Wednesday.
Nickou, alongside Football Australia CEO James Johnson, were in Manama, Bahrain on Wednesday 1 February, attending the quadrennial elections of the 33rd AFC Congress.
The AFC Congress, which is held annually, brings together the 47 member associations which make up the confederation. Included on the congress’ agenda were elections for the post of AFC President and of course positions on the Executive Committee.
Mr Nickou expressed the honour he felt owing to his re-election, “I thank my colleagues across Asia for their support and the trust they have placed in me once again.”
“I take the responsibility that comes with a position on the AFC Executive Committee very seriously, and look forward to continuing to support the on-going development of our great game across the entire Asian football community,” he said.
The AFC Executive Committee is responsible for implementing the AFC’s statutes, the decisions of the AFC Congress, as well as ratifying decisions made by AFC’s Standing Committees.
Nickou says that since joining the AFC in 2006, Australia has worked closely with its fellow Member Associations in Asia.
“We have exchanged significant knowledge and expertise, and collaborated strongly through our representation on various AFC committees.”
“In doing so, we’ve added to the ongoing growth and development of Asian football and delivered a range of development programs across the confederation.”
He reiterated his intention to continue increasing the nation’s engagement with its partners across Asia through his position on the Executive Committee, “which provides us with a platform to further strengthen ties in the region.”
Noting, that it’s of equal importance that through the Executive Committee, Australia has an opportunity to express its views on a range of matters, hear from other Member Associations about the issues important to them and cooperate cordially.
“And continue to drive the vision of the AFC forward – that Asia be the world’s leading football confederation,” he concluded.