Xinhua News Agency, Kuala Lumpur, October 20 (reporter Lin Hao) Malaysia’s official news agency, Ma Xinshe, reported on the 20th that former FIFA secretary general verapan died that morning at the age of 83.
The President of the Asian Football Association Salman issued a statement on the official website of the Asian Football Association, expressing his condolences on the death of verapan and paying tribute to him. “On behalf of the whole family of football Asia, I extend my condolences and sympathy to the family of one of the most important founders in promoting the development of football Asia,” Salman said.
Salman praised verapan’s football Asia with enthusiasm and professional service, saying that his death shocked and saddened all football Asia people.
“All the things he has done for the Asian Football League and other fields deserve unlimited praise,” Salman said.
According to the information of the Asian Football Association, verapan was born in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia in 1935. He studied in Britain and Canada and then returned to China to become a teacher. He served as assistant secretary general of Malaysia Football Association from 1963to 1980and led Malaysia to participate in Munich Olympic Games in 1972.
In 1978, verapan became the secretary-general of the Asian Football Association until he stepped down in 2007. He was the longest secretary-general in the history of the Asian Football Association so far, and he has been the president of the Asian Football Association for three times. During the term of the secretary-general of the Asian Football Association, verapan promoted and witnessed the rapid development of football Asia, including the World Cup held in Asia for the first time in 2002. He served as the coordinator of the organizing committee of the Korea-Japan World Cup.
After leaving office in 2007, verapan devoted himself to promoting grassroots football and participated in the “Asian outlook” project related to FIFA.
Windsor John, the current secretary general of the Asian Football Association, said verapan’s vision for football Asia “inspires us all”.