Al-Thawadi promises to drive Asia’s growth if he gets FIFA ExCo job

By Anil John/Sports Editor

Hassan al-Thawadi has promised to tap into Asia’s rich cultural diversity and its tremendous potential for growth to give the world’s largest continent its rightful place in global football if he is elected as the Asian Football Federation (AFC) representative on the FIFA Executive Committee.

The 34-year-old Qatari, who played a dynamic role as CEO of the Qatar’s 2022 Bid Committee, will be squaring up against Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifah in the May 2 election in Kuala Lumpur where the AFC’s 46 member nations will cast their votes.

“Diversity is the main strength of Asia. I will listen to all football federations in the continent    — that’s my pledge. I will address their issues and take them forward,” al-Thawadi, the Secretary-General of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, told journalists at a press conference in Doha yesterday

“Working with the AFC President, the member associations, and colleagues on the FIFA Executive Committee, I will work to expand Asian representation at FIFA, create opportunities for education at all levels of the game, accelerate football development, and use football as an engine for economic growth across our continent,” he added.

Under the slogan “Unleashing Asia’s Potential”, al-Thawadi, said his campaign is based on four key platforms:

A: Enhanced representation for the AFC within FIFA with the aim of working toward fulfilling Asia’s latent potential to contribute to the growth of the football globally.

B: A focus on educational initiatives throughout football – to provide players in the region with a future in the game beyond their playing careers, to create links between educational institutions and the national associations throughout Asia and to provide increased access to courses for administrators and officials – all with the aim of contributing to the sustainable growth of football within Asia.

C: Optimising existing development projects in Asia with an emphasis on ensuring that existing initiatives and any developed in the future are carefully tailored to the specific needs and requirements of each member association, and 

D: Creating the best environment for commercial and administrative success across the continent in order to maximise the commercial potential that Asian football has in abundance.

Al-Thawadi exuded confidence that his rich experience in various leadership positions, his background as a legal expert and his communication skills – he is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Arabic– should win him the seat.

 I am very confident heading into the election,” said al-Thawadi, who spent the past few weeks travelling across Asia as part of his campaign.

“My intention during this campaign was to speak to as many football associations as possible - regardless of size or perceived influence – and to listen to and understand the issues of most importance to them.  The knowledge gained from these meetings has played an integral part in shaping the agenda that I have outlined today.

“However, I cannot give you any percentages (of what his chances are). All I can say is that during my visits my ideas were well received, but eventually it’s the ballot box that will decide (the outcome).”

Al-Thawadi, however, wouldn’t comment on the competition with Sheikh Salman, who is also running for the AFC presidency.

“Sheikh Salman is a friend and a brother first and a competitor later.  He is a very strong candidate.  However, I would like to comment only on my campaign. The feedback that I have received from federations during my campaign has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Al-Thawadi added that he will build on the already excellent ties he has with football leaders in all parts of the world.

“My faith in teamwork and reconciliation will help my chances. My focus is on the future, bringing together many different stakeholders in football by working within the system.”

Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah bin Ahmed al-Thani, who also attended the press conference, spoke highly of al-Thawadi, saying he is the best man for the job.

 ‘He is a charismatic young man, fluent in four languages and has a distinguished career in business and commercial fields as a talented lawyer.   Al-Thawadi has demonstrated his immense capabilities to contribute to the world of football in his roles as CEO of our successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and now as Secretary General of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee.  I strongly believe Al Thawadi is the ideal candidate to represent Asia on FIFA’s Executive Committee.”