FAT & TPL Must Improve by The AFC: 2011

FAT AND TPL MUST IMPROVE: AFC
by the-afc.com
4/4/11

The AFC has asked Thailand clubs to improve their infrastructure, media facilities and youth development programme in order to be eligible to take part in the AFC Champions League.

A Special Mission Team, headed by AFC's Director of Competitions Tokuaki Suzuki, recently completed its assessment of Thai Premier League clubs. AFC appreciates the hard work put in by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Thai Premier League and the clubs to improve professional football.

Suzuki said, "But Thailand still has some weak points such as stadiums, media facilities and operations, and youth development. If the clubs cannot improve their facility and programme to meet the criteria, they will not be able to play in the AFC Champions League from 2012-2014. The AFC strongly encourages the clubs to improve their stadium, media facilities and youth development system. In conclusion, Thailand has great potential and wants to improve under the leadership of Dato Worawi and Dr. Vichit to meet the criteria before the deadline."

FAT President Dato Worawi Makudi, who is also a FIFA Executive Committee member, appreciated AFC's efforts and expressed hope that the Thai clubs will work hard to meet the criteria. "We sincerely appreciate the efforts of AFC in this inspection visit. I believe our clubs and league would have received much knowledge and experience from this visit. We accept all the constructive comments by the AFC delegation and hope to consistently improve in order to meet all the criteria. I hope all the concerned parties will benefit from this inspection visit," he said.