Shaikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), praised the step taken by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), which included the launch of the Saudi Football Transformation Strategy on Thursday. The SAFF transformation strategy was launched in the presence of Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee; the SAFF President and members; the representatives of the Saudi clubs and a number of the sports and media figures. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Shaikh Salman disclosed that the institutional work, which copes with scientific methods to achieve goals, is the ideal approach to advance the football system, affirming that the SAFF's step comes to open real prospects for strengthening the future of football in Saudi Arabia. He added that the Saudi football strategy consists of seven main pillars, including the talent development path, competitions, technology, workforce, governance, global impact and women's football. Shaikh Salman said: "The AFC supports such strategies. It is ready to work hand in hand with our expertise and cadres to succeed football projects and strategies all over the continent." "In Asia, we are proud of the effective and successful continental models such as the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. We will always support all steps of development and growth throughout the continent," he stated. Shaikh Salman, earlier, extended his condolences to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the family and friends of former IOC President Count Jacques Rogge who passed away at the age of 79. Rogge served as the eighth IOC president from 2001 to 2013 before becoming an Honorary President. An ardent sports fan, Rogge was an accomplished athlete where he was a Belgian rugby champion and represented his national team. He was also a 16-time Belgian national champion and a world champion in sailing and competed in three editions of the Olympic Games in 1968, 1972 and 1976. He said: "The world has lost a great man who was talented and passionate about sports. Count Jacques Rogge will forever be remembered for his accolades in sports as well as his vision to modernize and transform the IOC. "On behalf of the Asian football family, we offer our sympathies to the family and friends of Count Jacques Rogge and to the IOC. May all of you find strength during this challenging period." — Agencies
