PHILIPPINE Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr. was re-elected as member of the FIFA Executive Council and was appointed as organizing committee chairman of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup during the 33rd Asian Football Confederation Congress last Wednesday in Manama, Bahrain.
Araneta garnered 34 votes, more than the needed simple majority of 23 votes, to gain a fresh four-year mandate to the world football body’s powerful council.
Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalif of Bahrain was re-elected as AFC president.
Araneta was among the seven candidates for the five slots allotted for the continent to the International Football Federation, known by its French acronym FIFA.
“I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Asian Football Confederation family for their trust and confidence in electing me to the FIFA Council once again,” Araneta said in a statement issued by the PFF.
“Being in the FIFA Council is a position I do not take lightly and I am well aware of the responsibility given to me,” Araneta, 68, said. “I look forward to continuing our work in the FIFA Council to advance initiatives meant to develop, grow and promote the beautiful game.”
During his earlier stint with the FIFA Council, the PFF top honcho backed FIFA’s initiative to set aside $200 million (roughly P10.7 billion) for talent identification and development to help member associations develop and nurture competitive national teams.
As the head of the organizing committee of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Araneta will play a major role in organizing the continental football showcase.
“I accept the appointment of the AFC Executive Committee to be the chairman of the Organizing Committee of the AFC Asian Cup 2023,” he said. “I thank the leadership of the AFC led by Shaik Al Khalifa for the trust and opportunity to help oversee the continent’s showpiece competition.
“I am looking forward to working with Asian football’s stakeholders to ensure that the staging of the Asian Cup will be a success.”
