Nice tackle, AFC

pix www.the-afc.com

I must wonder why the Asian Football Confederation, allergic to Government intervention in line with FIFA's ideology, is rubbing shoulders with Malaysia's top leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak paid AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam a courtesy call last year, accompanied by the then Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

In directly conducting a meeting with AFC, Azalina performed a sliding tackle on the FA of Malaysia.

As the figurehead of sports bodies by virtue of her position, Azalina gave scant regard to FAM as guardians of the game, like the way she rammed the Champions Youth Cup down FAM's throats last year.

Now Hammam, a Qatari construction tycoon who celebrated his 59th birthday today on the same day AFC turns 54, has brought in former Cabinet minister Tun Daim Zainuddin as chairman of the AFC audit committee.

Anyway, happy birthday Mr Hammam. Many happy returns.


The story below is taken from www.the-afc.com

AFC internal audit system lauded

AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam (L) with Tun Daim Zainuddin, Chairman of the AFC Audit Committee.


KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Daim Zainuddin, Chairman of the AFC Internal Audit Committee, has expressed his desire to contribute to the progress of Asian football, particularly in the important field of audit.

Speaking to www.the-afc.com, Tun Zainuddin, an ardent football fan, said: “I want to contribute to Asian football, particularly in audit, and I will be happy if I can help in any way possible.”

The AFC Internal Audit Committee was formed after a unanimous amendment to the AFC statutes by the 22nd AFC Congress in Kuala Lumpur in 2007 following the abolition of the Honorary Treasurer’s position.

“I have seen a presentation of the AFC internal audit system and it was good, comprehensive and my services are always available to help further this process,” said Tun Zainuddin, who was the Finance Minister of Malaysia from 1984-1991.

Tun Zainuddin, 70 and a highly respected corporate figure, heads a five-man AFC Audit Committee whose others members are President of the Kyrgyzstan Football Federation Amangeldi Muraliev, Oman Football Association President Sayyid Khaled Hamid Al Busaidi, Mongolia Football Association President Renchinnyam Amarjargal, and the President of the Philippines Football Association, Juan Mari C Martinez.

The main duties of the AFC Internal Audit Committee will be to ensure the completeness and reliability of the financial accounting and review of the external auditors’ report at the request of the Executive Committee besides establishing and maintaining effective internal control to help ensure that appropriate goals and objectives are met, resources are used effectively, economically, and are safeguarded, laws and regulations are followed, and reliable data are obtained, maintained and fairly disclosed.

The AFC Internal Audit Committee’s integrity is supported by the fact that it reports directly to the AFC Congress and members of the AFC Executive Committee are not eligible to be its members.