SEOUL: AFC President, Mohammed bin Hammam, was today conferred with a honorary doctorate degree in law by one of the leading Universities in Korea, Sun Moon University, Ah-san, Korea.

The degree was bestowed by the President of Sun Moon University, Kim Bong Tae, in recognition of Bin Hammam’s outstanding contribution to the development of Asian sport, particularly acknowledging the rapid development in football across the continent since the President was elected in 2002.

At the awards ceremony, followed by a round table conference with the Korean media, the AFC chief said receiving the honorary degree was one of the greatest moments in his career in football administration.

“I am very thrilled to accept this award. We know that we are still in the beginning of our thousand-mile journey. But I promise you that the day will come for Asia to be recognized as a football continent in the world and there’s a lot more work to be done for the development of football in Asia,” said Bin Hammam.

At the round table interview, he again emphasized the importance of development of football in Asia.

“We are in the process of expanding our Vision Asia project which provide a platform to develop football in selected member associations," said Bin Hammam.

"It deals with not only football but also administration, media, marketing and others which are core elements for football development. In addition, from next year, the new format of the AFC Champions League will start. I would like to see more talent, regardless of their ethnicity, play in the developed platform of football in Asia.”
Lastly, he vowed to double his commitment to increasing the role of football for human rights and social responsibility.

“I was impressed by the activities and programmes of the Peace Dream Foundation and Peace Cup Organizing Committee and during my presidency, I will always support the sprit of football and their programs.”