Al Serkal for AFC

Al Serkal faces competition from across the region Dubai - Said Shamsi United Arab Emirates (UAE) Football Association chief and current Asian Football Confederation (AFC) vice-president Yousuf Al Serkal has vowed to “reunite Asian football” as part of his presidential bid at the AFC. The official’s manifesto, coming under the name “Football in the Heart,” has offered six pledges to develop the game across Asia. Pledges include “transforming” the corruption-racked organisation, ensuring balance between professional and amateur leagues and decentralising AFC projects. Al Serkal has stressed the importance of bringing football to the forefront in the region. “We’re at a time when our stakeholders believe that leaders in the game are only in it for themselves,” he said. “This has to change.” Al Serkal faces tough competition from Shaikh Salman, head of Bahrain’s FA and controversial Thai FA chief, Worawi Makudi. "If I’m successful, I will lead the way to make the AFC much more transparent,” Al Serkal claimed. “It’s important I lead by example so I will declare all my allowances and benefits given by the Confederation.”