www.the-afc.com: What does professionalism mean to you and how do you think it will help football in Asia?

MBH: Professionalism in life means discipline, quality, accuracy, caring and a desire to continuously raise one’s standards in all spheres. When these principles are inserted into the management of clubs, leagues and players aiming for top quality football, the product is bound to be remarkable as so many fine elements have come together. This is what a professional league is all about.

www.the-afc.com: Why did the AFC select the AFC Champions League for a professional revamp?

MBH: AFC selected the AFC Champions League because it is our biggest club competition and the jewel in the crown of Asian football. We did the groundwork by introducing slow reforms since 2002 but the time has come now to click up a gear for not just the AFC Champions League but all competitions. We want the AFC Champions League to be our crème-de-la-crème and match the best football in the world. The AFC Champions League should be comparable to top European football.

www.the-afc.com: There are fears that due to the strict assessment criteria adopted by AFC, quality playing talent might be penalised for lack of infrastructure and other peripheral issues. Your comments please.

MBH: I can assure everyone that quality players will not be penalized in anyway just because their clubs don’t have the right infrastructure. The all-round steps and reforms we have undertaken will ensure that a player will have more opportunities to play outside his own country, in other leagues, get paid more, all depending on how talented he is and how much his services are in demand. We are unleashing the market forces in Asian club football for the benefit of all.

www.the-afc.com: What will happen to the countries which do not meet the criteria for the new AFC Champions League?

MBH: They will play in the AFC Cup.

www.the-afc.com: Does AFC have plans for revamping the AFC Cup?

MBH: From 2009 onwards, only those countries and clubs which meet the FIFA Club Licensing Regulations will be eligible to play in the AFC Cup. FIFA has set a deadline for all confederations to have their own club licensing regulations by the 2009-10 season and AFC is determined to meet it. The member associations are to transform the confederation’s club licensing regulations into national club licensing regulations and implement the club licensing system at the national level by the 2010-11 season at the latest. If countries/clubs do not qualify for the AFC Cup then they will play at the lower level in the AFC President’s Cup.

www.the-afc.com: Are you happy with the work of the AFC Pro-Leagues Ad-Hoc Committee?

MBH: I am very happy and proud with the work they have done. They have produced documents and guidelines of very high quality and if implemented it will ensure the advancement of our football. They have exceeded our expectations.