Dubai: With 150 days to go, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has praised Asian Cup organisers ahead of its second hosting in the UAE from January 5 to February 1.
“The local organising committee has been working diligently to stage the best-ever edition of the Asian Cup — one that reinforces the AFC’s vision and mission to deliver top-level competitions for our players, teams and fans,” Shaikh Salman said.
“On behalf of the Asian football family, I want to thank the local organising committee for sharing our aspirations of ‘Bringing Asia Together’ and for the level of professionalism and dedication demonstrated throughout the planning and final preparation stages.”
To celebrate the countdown, the local organising committee has confirmed that registration for the much-anticipated volunteer programme will go live on August 31, where as many as 5,000 fans across Asia will have the chance to be a part of the continent’s biggest football event.
Along with last week’s ticket sales launch, the volunteer recruitment drive bolsters a line-up of programmes aimed at creating a legacy and bringing communities together.
The latest announcements come after a host of enhancements to strengthen the stature of the competition. A new trophy will be lifted for the first time since the inaugural edition in 1956, with a new prize purse of $14.8 million (Dh54.36 million).
Shaikh Salman added: “At the forefront of the AFC’s ambition is the desire to excite and entertain the biggest football community on the planet. The local organising committee has been sparing no efforts in their pursuit to inspire people from all walks of life, to capture the action, the passion and to create an unforgettable experience for our fans. I have no doubt that the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will leave a lasting legacy not just in the UAE, but for the entire Asian football family.”
Buy your tickets now at www.afcasiancup2019.com or visit www.the-afc.com for information.
