Before an audience that included FIFA President Joseph S Blatter, UEFA President Michel Platini and representatives of 46 AFC Member Associations, Bin Hammam hailed the unity of Asian football.

He said the second day of the Congress, on Friday, will be an historic occasion on which Asians will display their finer qualities.

“Tomorrow, we are getting together to show the people and show the world how the football family in Asia is united and determined to develop football,” Bin Hammam said.

“And we are going to show how civilised we are and how we are still a family even though we have our differences.

“Tomorrow will be a victory for all of us - the football family of Asia. With that I would like to declare the 23rd AFC Congress in 2009 open.”

The gala dinner featured a prize giving ceremony for AFC Service Award winners as well as stunning performances from violinist Joanne Yeoh and singer Noryn Aziz.

There was also a presentation of the progress made by organisers of the FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa.