ASEAN countries form own soccer group<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (AFP): Football associations from the seven ASEAN
\ncountries on Friday formed their own group to increase their
\nsoccer profile.<\/p>\n
The setting up of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) was
\ndescribed as "a historic moment for any football fan in Southeast
\nAsia," by veteran Indonesian soccer official Nabon Noor.<\/p>\n
"With the creation of this new body we can increase the number
\nof football competitions in the region and so help improve
\nstandards."<\/p>\n
Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, the
\nPhilippines and Vietnam -- all members of the Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations -- have set up the AFF. Myanmar, Laos and
\nCambodia are associate members as they are in the political
\ngroup.<\/p>\n
ASEAN has some of the world's most dynamic economies, but its
\nfootball standards are more modest -- with Malaysia and Singapore
\nbetter known abroad for their match fixing.<\/p>\n
The new body will have no standing within the international
\nfootball hierarchy but it has immediate plans to hold a Southeast
\nAsian football championships.<\/p>\n
Singapore will host the first tournament next September with
\nthe top eight teams from the soccer tournament at the recent
\nSoutheast Asian Games in Thailand. The host won the winner.
\nCambodia and Brunei will not take part.<\/p>\n
The AFF also wants to launch its own development program in
\nIndochina, which has fallen behind because of years of war and
\npolitical isolation.<\/p>\n
"We hope to have at least one coaching and referees' clinic in
\neach of the ASEAN countries every year," said Noor, a vice-
\npresident of the Asian Football Confederation, the governing body
\nfor Asia.<\/p>\n
Worrawee Makudi of Thailand was appointed the first general
\nsecretary of the AFF.<\/p>",
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