Dream could turn to reality for Central Asia
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Loading...Persianfootball.com – MANAMA, a dream for football fans in Central Asia could become a reality as President of the AFC met with heads of football from Central Asia.
According to the official website of Afghanistan Football Federation, on Saturday May 10, the President of Football Federation of Islamic Republic of Iran his honorable Ali Kafashian and his Persian-speaking counterpart his honorable Keramuudin Karim the President of Afghanistan Football Federation, Semetei Sultanov the President of Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic and representatives from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan football federations met with the President of Asian Football Confederation, His Excellency Sheikh Salman Al Khalifa to discuss plans to establish a new football board within the AFC hierarchy by the name of Central Asian Football Federation.
The proposal was made by Iran and Afghanistan football federations. Most recently both of these federations had won awards, Iran won Best Asian Football Federation of the year in 2012 and Afghanistan won FIFA Fair Play Award for the year 2013.
If such proposal turn into reality, it could be the first football board that half of her members will be comprised of Persian-speaking nations ie. Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Iran was a founding member of West Asia Football Federation that was established in 2001 and has been a member until present day. The largest nation of the Persian Gulf region had been a founding member of several international organizations such as Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) founded in 1960, Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) founded in 1964 and its successor Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in 1992.
Team Melli took part in RCD Cup tournaments in 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970 and ECO Cup in 1993. Malavan Bandar Anzali football club took part in 1974 RCD Cup.
Also as a member of West Asia, Iran participated in WAFF Championship tournaments in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2012. However most recently Team Melli did not take part in the 2014 WAFF Championship.
