Iraq forward Alaa Abbas, Maldives national team captain Akram Abdul Ghanee and Timor-Leste women's team captain Nilda Romana are the latest trio encouraging millions to heed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines and to remain vigilant and calm in the fight against the global pandemic.

The AFC President described the Member Associations, the players, officials and match officials, who have led the AFC’s #BreakTheChain campaign, as ‘guiding lights during these dark and challenging times.’

The 100th person to join the much-heralded campaign was Ali Mabkhout from the United Arab Emirates and the AFC has reached that number in just over 10 days – the first 50 signing up in just 48 hours to promote the messages of the highest standards of hygiene, social distancing and, where Governments have stipulated, staying at home.

The AFC’s public awareness series has brought together more than 120 Asian icons and officials to share messages of hope and unity while encouraging communities to follow the best personal hygiene practices and guidelines initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to stop the spread of COVID-19.

FIFA and AFC Elite referees Christopher Beath from Australia, Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita, Jordan’s Adham Makhadmeh and Mohammed Abdulla from the United Arab Emirates – all of whom have graced the biggest stages in world football – are the latest to feature in the mass awareness campaign urging fans to follow the best practices outlined by the World Health Organization.

The trio are among 130 Asian icons and officials from 40 Member Associations who have joined forces to raise awareness on health and personal hygiene guidelines put in place by the World Health Organization (WHO) to stop the transmission of COVID-19.

The announcement comes after the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, revealed there have been more than one million telehealth calls relating to mental health since mid-March, as families and individuals across the country suffer stress from isolation.

The new initiative will see FFA share Black Dog’s extensive range of mental health resources across its digital properties and large football network, as the Australian football family continues to assist the slowdown of the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social isolation and social distancing.

The Black Dog Institute is internationally recognised as a pioneer in the identification, prevention and treatment of mental illness, and the promotion of wellbeing. It produces online resources, tools and apps which aim to reduce the incidence of mental illness and empower everyone to live the most mentally healthy lives possible.

More than 130 Asian players and officials from 40 Member Associations have offered their support behind the #BreakTheChain series which continues to urge everyone to play their role in the fight against COVID-19 by sharing inspiring messages across the Continent.