In a message posted on the KFA website today, it was claimed he would be nominated "based on his unrivalled understanding of Asian sport administration and his commitment to using sport to unite the region and promote equality and good governance".

He will be vying for one of three FIFA positions up for election for officials from the world's largest continent at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting in Bahrain in April.

The 51-year-old, President of both the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), is considered one of the most influential powerbrokers in world sport.

He is also the current KFA Honorary President.

"Having been the OCA President for many years before becoming ANOC President, I understand the importance when transitioning into a global position of recognising and embracing different cultures for the benefit of all regions worldwide," Sheikh Ahmad said today.

"I strongly believe in the power of sport to break down social barriers, foster greater gender and racial equality and unite the world for a better future.

"Football as the sport with the greatest reach in the world has limitless potential to promote these values and bring about social change."

Sheikh Ahmad pictured with IOC President Thomas Bach ©Getty Images



Sheikh Ahmad's support has been seen as crucial in many recent election campaigns, including in the 2013 race for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Presidency, when he spoke in support of the eventual winner, Thomas Bach.

He is also an influential figure within world football and helped Bahrain's Sheikh Salman Al-Khalifa win the election to become President of the AFC in 2013.

He has also publicly backed Sepp Blatter's campaign to be elected for a fifth term as President of FIFA at the election in Zurich on May 29, claiming the decision of Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein to stand against the Swiss was a mistake because it was "too early" for him.

Sheikh Ahmad has also been among the most high-profile of administrators who have backed Qatar's right to be allowed to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, despite the controversy surrounding its election.

"For Asian football one of the highest priorities is to ensure that Qatar hosts the best possible FIFA World Cup in 2022," he added. 

"As the first FIFA World Cup hosted in the region I have no doubt that it will have a very strong legacy impact across Asia and the Middle East, inspiring millions of young people to engage in sport."

Sheikh Salman and Sepp Blatter are each seen as allies of Sheikh Ahmad
©AFP/Getty Images





Of the three seats up for election, two are held by Worawi Makudi of Thailand and Zhang Jilong of China, while the other is held by AFC President Bahrain's Sheikh Salman Al-Khalifa, who is now bidding for the vice-presidential seat formerly held by Prince Ali.

This latter position of Sheikh Salman is the two-year post Sheikh Ahmad is targeting, insidethegames understands.

Others to have already thrown their hat into the ring for the three positions are Football Association of Malaysia President Prince Abdullah and South Korea Football Association chief Chung Mong-gyu, while Makudi is set to run again and Jilong could also do so.

If Sheikh Ahmad is successful, he would likely become a key link between FIFA and the IOC, with Sepp Blatter due to cease being an IOC member in 2016 when he meet the mandatory IOC member age limit of 80, regardless of whether he wins May's FIFA Presidential election.

The only other dual IOC and Executive Committee members are Cameroon's Confederation of African Football President Issa Hayatou and Burundi's Lydia Nsekera.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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