News   /   Sports

FFIRI claims AFC Inspiring MA of the Year 2017 award

President of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, (R) receives the AFC Inspiring Member Associations of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards 2017 in the Aksra Theatre King Power, Bangkok, Thailand, on November 29, 2017.

The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has been named the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Inspiring Member Associations of the Year.

During the AFC Annual Awards 2017 ceremony at the Aksra Theatre King Power in the Thai capital city of Bangkok on Wednesday, the governing body for football and futsal in Iran clinched the title.

The Iran national football team defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on June 12, and became the first Asian team - and the third squad after Brazil and hosts Russia - to secure its place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The great achievement came as Iranian futsal clubs are making consistent improvements as well.

Sanaye Giti Pasand club, which currently plays in the Iranian Futsal Super League, had a perfect record to top Group C of the 2017 AFC Futsal Club Championship in Vietnam.

The team sustained a narrow 3-2 loss to Thailand's Bluewave Chonburi to secure a runner-up spot.

Back in March, Iran was crowned winner in the inaugural AFC Beach Soccer Championship, and received an automatic qualification to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas, where it finished third after losing 3-2 on penalties to Tahiti.

The AFC Inspiring Member Associations of the Year is a prestigious award given to a federation 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 the country.

The AFC’s Member Associations are divided into three categories namely ‘Inspiring’, ’Developing’ and ‘Aspiring’ based on their overall football prowess.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku