The 24th AFC Congress will be held in Doha on January 6, 2011 – one day before the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ kicks off in the Qatari capital.

The AFC Executive Committee on Friday unanimously approved a proposal by AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam.

Bin Hammam said holding the Congress in January would give all 46 AFC Member Associations a chance to be part of the continent’s flagship tournament for national teams.

“Next year in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, we can expect to see the kind of top-quality action we see at top-level world competitions,” Bin Hammam told the members.

“This is a great opportunity for us to invite all our Member Associations to be part of this great celebration.

“I don’t think this has happened in the past, at least since I have been President.”

During the 24th AFC Congress, the post of AFC President and three FIFA Executive Committee positions will come up for election.

At the outset, Bin Hammam congratulated the Executive Committee upon the excellent performance of Asian teams in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

ANFA President, Ganesh Thapa attended the ex-co meeting.  (AFC)