A surprise decision
The Asia Football Confederation (AFC) has surprisingly taken South Asia Champions Afghanistan to Central Asia. The decision was taken on Saturday in its meeting in Australia, the hosts of the underway 17th edition of the Asia Cup Football Toyrney.
The other Central Asian countries are Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Following the AFC decision, South Asia remains with Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. On the other hand, The East Asia comprises China, Hong Kong of China, Macao of China, North Korea, Mongolia, South Korea and Taipei, and Australia. The Oceania country became member of AFC in 2006.
The West Asia has Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Yemen.
On the other hand, six Asian countries namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Israel Kazakhstan and Turkey are members of the Union of European Football Associations for geographical and political reasons. However, to ensure participation on the final round of the Asia Cup Football from each region, AFC must introduce quota system, at least one from the South Asia and the South East Asia each. Will the BFF take pains to try?
Abdullah Akber
Dhaka
