China PR gave up the hosting rights of 2023 Asian Cup due to surging COVID-19 cases, AFC is now looking for a replacement and has sent the bidding document to 47 countries including FAM.
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It would be tough for Malaysia to replace China as the host of the 2023 Asian Cup, says Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Mohd Saifuddin Abu Bakar. Few weeks ago AFC announced that China PR won’t be able to host the prestigious tournament because of surging COVID-19 cases in the country. China were named as hosts of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in June 2019, at the AFC Extraordinary congress in Paris. Now, AFC is in search of a new host nation and has sent the bidding document to 47 countries including FAM. The event, which is played every four years and features 24 national teams from across the continent, was due to be held in 10 cities in China from June 16 to July 16 in 2023.
Chinese Football Association (CFA) informs AFC that it would not be able to host the AFC Asian Cup 2023™
AFC acknowledges the exceptional circumstances caused by COVID-19, which led to the relinquishment by China PR of its hosting rights
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— AFC Media and Broadcast Operations (@AFCMediaTV) May 14, 2022
According to a report by thesundaily, FAM sec-gen Abu Bakar said that: “In terms of logistics such as hotel, we have no problem but the organising country needs a minimum of four stadiums while the quality of training fields should also be of the same quality as the match venues. The training pitches have to also meet the high criteria as stipulated because it is the biggest football competition in Asia, But this is my opinion, it depends on the decision of the exco meeting which would be held after the FAM Congress in August on whether to bid for the 2023 Asian Cup host or otherwise. FAM president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin can also call to discuss the matter (on organising 2023 Asian Cup) but so far there are no indications we are interested in organising the tournament.”
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Earlier, AFC general-secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: “We will give them a month which means the deadline is at the end of June. If necessary, we will do an inspection visit, we will evaluate the proposals (of the replacement host) and pass them to the executive committee to decide. We hope that member associations will step forth for hosting duties. Once they see the bidding documents, they can decide from there whether or not they can or cannot host.” Windsor said AFC is giving up the end of the next month for the interested countries to submit their proposal paper to replace China who withdrew from organising 2023 Asian Cup following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Asian Cup is the latest international event to be affected by China’s attempts to tackle the pandemic. Earlier this month, Asian Games organisers the Olympic Council of Asia postponed the next edition of the multi-sport event, due to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou in September, until 2023. Since the start of the pandemic, the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix has not been held since 2019, while WTA events have been suspended due to standoff over concerns relating to the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai.
