KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Thursday announced preparation of a long-term master plan to raise the standards of Asian football “to the realms of excellence”.

AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam said the 12-year plan was scheduled to begin in 2004 and would be preceded by a technical study beginning next year.

“This is our vision for Asian football. We believe that with 3.6 billion people, ample resources for the development of football and now with a master plan in hand, there is no reason to not succeed.

“We truly believe that the future of world football is to be found in Asia,” he said in a statement released by AFC.

Hammam, who took over the AFC presidency at its congress here in August, said the plan had received the support of world governing body FIFA.

FIFA had allocated an annual grant of 2.5 million dollars to be used for its preparation and had pledged further funds for its execution.

“The success of the 2002 FIFA World Cup has also brought about this vision and inspiration to raise Asian football standards to the highest levels.—AFP