AFC Asian Cup preparations gather pace

AFC – DOHA, The preparations for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ gathered pace as an AFC advanced office started functioning at the Qatari capital from December 1.

The AFC team will supervise the preparations in all the five venues – Khalifa, Al Sadd, Al Gharafa, Al Rayyan and Qatar Sports Club stadiums where top 16 countries of the continent will vie for the top honours from January 7 to 29, 2011.

“This was a big step in successfully organising Asia’s biggest tournament. The preparations in all the venues, training sites, hotels et al are at the final stages and I am sure the stage will be set once the teams start arriving in Doha,” Tournament Director Tokuaki Suzuki said.

“The Qatar Local Organising Committee (QLOC) has done a tremendous job so far to fulfill the requirements and I am sure they will make sure that the teams will have the best atmosphere to compete.

“This is Asia’s showpiece event and we, together with QLOC, want to make it a grand success.”