Blatter to attend AFC anniversary gala

AFC - A number of leading figures in world football including FIFA president Sepp Blatter, 2006 FIFA World Cup organising chairman Franz Beckenbauer as well as the presidents and general secretaries of FIFA's other Confederations, will attend the AFC 50th Anniversary Gala Night in Kuala Lumpur on May 8.

Officials from the AFC's 45 member National Associations will also be on hand to commemmorate the 50th birthday of the body at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel and Convention Centre.

In addition, the AFC has also invited past and present winners of the AFC Player of the Year award to the ceremony including Hidetoshi Nakata, Shinji Ono, Ali Daei and Mehdi Mahdavikia.

According to organisers, special 50th Anniversary awards will be presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the AFC.

The 12 founding members of the AFC will also be recognized for their visionary efforts in forming the Confederation in Manila in 1954.