Bangkok: The AFC Diamond of Asia Award 2017 was presented to Yousuf Al Serkal of the United Arab Emirates for his faithful servitude of more than 25 years to Asian football.
Al Serkal has spent more than 25 years in various senior executive level positions in the UAE, Asian and International football organisations as well as other sporting bodies.
He was recently appointed President of General Authority for Youth and Sports by the UAE Government.
Known for his sharp intellect and amiable nature, Al Serkal began his football administration career as the General Secretary of local UAE club Al Shabab in 1985 at just 27 years of age.
He was later elected as the club’s President in 1991 - a position he held until 1998.
He joined the AFC after being elected to the Executive Committee in 1994. He was elected as the Vice-President of the Confederation in 2007 before being subsequently re-elected to the same position in 2011.
As the Chairman of the AFC Competitions Committee, Al Serkal spearheaded crucial changes to the competition structures that ensured a more level playing field while enhancing the quality of the competitions and the hosting of the events.
Al Serkal was also instrumental in revamping and modernising refereeing development when he headed the AFC Referees Committee and this saw a tremendous increase in the referee talent pool of the Continent.
His tenure as the UAE Football Association (UAE FA) President saw the UAE team record several achievements, including winning the prestigious Gulf Cup for the first time in their history in 2007. In 2013, the team won the title again under his stewardship.
The UAE FA also successfully hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013 after they were awarded the hosting rights under his guidance. He was also a member of the FIFA Inspection Committee for the 2006 World Cup held in Germany.
Outside football, Al Serkal has served as Deputy Chairman of the UAE Olympic Committee and was also on the Organising Committee responsible for football at the Olympic Games in London 2012.
Al Serkal is certainly worthy of joining the illustrious list of previous recipients of the Diamond of Asia Award.
Photo: AFC
Source: the-afc.com