AFC celebrates 60th anniversary in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) returns to the place where it all started – Manila - to celebrate its 60th anniversary and honor the continent’s best and brightest in the Annual Awards night tonight at Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

AFC officials, led by president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain and general secretary Dato Alex Soosay, lead some 400 delegates for the affair to be graced by International Football Federation (Fifa) president Joseph Blatter and secretary general Jerome Valcke.

“We are excited to host the AFC 60th anniversary. For the AFC to return to Manila after 60 years is truly an honor for the Philippines,” said Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta.

The AFC is recalling six decades of growth and prosperity and is honoring players, officials and administrators who have performed and served with distinction.

Former Binibining Pilipinas World Margaret Wilson and ESPN’s Jason Dasey host the gala event where internationally renowned singer-actress Lea Salonga is also set to perform.  Acclaimed composer Ryan Cayabyab composed a special song for the occasion.

The year’s top footballers will get their due recognition tonight.

Ismail Ahmed of UAE, Nassir Al Shamrani of Saudi Arabia and Kalfan Ibrahim of Qatar are up for the AFC Player of the Year award while Katrina Lee Gorry of Australia and Japanese stalwarts Nahomi Kawasumi and Aya Miyami are disputing the Women’s Player of the Year plum.

Also to be handed out are Club of the Year, Coach of the Year (men and women), National Team of the Year, Referee of the Year (men and women), Fair Play, and the Hall of Fame awards.