SINGAPORE, June 6: Asian Football Confederation has announced that AFC Futsal Championship 2003 has been relocated to Iran from Japan due to Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) situation, at the request of Japan Football Association (JFA).

AFC Futsal Championship was scheduled to take place in Japan from July 27 to August 5, 2003. Despite change of venue, dates will still remain the same.

Junji Ogura, Chairman of AFC Futsal Committee, vice-president of JFA and a Fifa Executive Committee Member, told AFC that regrettably JFA could not host the event due to instructions from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan on consideration of Sars situation in the region.

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Peter Velappan said: “It is unfortunate JFA could not host the event. Nevertheless, AFC is very pleased Iran has stepped in to host this premier Asian futsal event and we are confident they will do an excellent job with only two months to go to complete their preparations.

“I am sure Japan will have opportunity to host this prestigious event in near future once Sars epidemic is contained.”

The record number of 18 teams competing for 2003 event will still take part.—PPI