AFC Aspiring MA of the Year: Kyrgyz Republic

The prestigious award is given to a Member Association in recognition of its professional administration and governance as well its exceptional contribution to the development and promotion of the game at all levels within their country.

Recognising the diversity of MA’s in terms of facilities and resources and looking to ensure that more nations will receive recognition for their efforts and achievements in developing football in their country, the AFC last year introduced three winners for the Member Association of the Year award as opposed to just one. The Pakistan Football Federation was the winner of the Aspiring MA award last year.

“We are very proud to win this award despite having only a low budget," said President of Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic Semetey Sultanov after being presented the award by AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

"Our team deserves this category and we are very proud. This is the result of all work. I congratulate the whole football association and whole football public of Kyrgyzstan.

“The award will motivate us to work even harder in the future. And I believe with this prize we will be able to earn even more support for the football association in the future.”

The AFC’s 46 Member Associations are divided into three categories namely ‘Inspiring’, ’Developing’ and ‘Aspiring’. The category reflects the tier of AFC club competition the country is eligible to participate in.

Member Associations are assessed and awarded points on various areas encompassing the association’s activities such as the organisation of courses and seminars, competitions, grassroots and youth development, women’s programmes, social responsibility and special projects.

Points are also given for an MA’s hosting of AFC qualifying and finals tournaments as well as their national and club teams’ placing in AFC and FIFA competitions throughout the year.