Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manila: TV Asahi and NHK have been named the inaugural winners of the AFC Corporate Icon Award at the AFC Annual Awards 2014 ceremony in the Philippines on Sunday.
TV Asahi and NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster, have been in partnership with the Asian Football Confederation since 2001, and over the course of the relationship all parties – including the confederation, fellow broadcasters, commercial partners and, most importantly, fans – have benefitted significantly.
The first contract – brokered by Dentsu and World Sport Group and eight years in duration – was signed more than 13 years ago, and since then TV Asahi and NHK have gone on to become the leading sports broadcasters in Japan, with AFC competitions a cornerstone in the companies’ success.
TV Asahi moved from being ranked fourth in terms of popularity amongst Japan’s broadcasters to holding the top spot domestically due to their partnership with the AFC and the extensive broadcasting of Asian football.
"TV Asahi has been a rights broadcaster since 2001 and we are very happy to get this award," said TV Asahi General Manager Sports Division Kaoru Mikumo.
AFC Executive Committee Members Dr. Hafez Al Medlej and Richard Lai presented the awards to the winners.
In addition, the AFC’s partnership with TV Asahi and NHK has increased the reach and scope of coverage of the Asian game in Japan to unprecedented levels, making the relationship successful for all parties while also improving and enhancing broadcast standards across AFC competitions.
Such has been the success of the work done together on Asian football, TV Asahi and NHK renewed their commitment to the AFC in 2009 and the relationship continues to be one that plays a leading role in elevating football in Asia to ever greater heights.