AFC president concludes visit to Maldives

Malé, Nov. 23 (BNA): Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has concluded a two-day visit to the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) during which he reasserted the importance of unity and solidarity in Asian football. The AFC President visited the FAM headquarters and met with newly-elected President Bassam Adeel Jaleel and the Executive Committee members before attending a grassroots festival at the National Stadium. Shaikh Salman also paid a courtesy visit to the Maldivian Youth and Sports Minister Iruthisham Adam at her office to discuss the future of football in the islands. After the meeting with FAM President Bassam, the AFC President said: "I am confident that the new executive committee led by you will ensure stability, which is so important if Maldives is to unlock its great potential." He added that the AFC was ready to assist Maldivian football, wherever possible, saying: "We will help develop football in the Maldives and look forward to working closely with the FAM towards this important objective. We stand united with our Member Associations under the banner of One Asia, One Goal." FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel said: "We will ensure stability in the association and focus on the future. I sincerely appreciate the AFC President’s support for Maldivian football."