AFF announce inaugural awards ceremony
The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) have confirmed that it will host its first-ever awards ceremony next month to recognise the region's outstanding players.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the AFF announced a total of 18 awards will be presented in a ceremony to be held on April 3.
These include awards for Player of the Year and Coach of the Year in both men's and women's categories, as well as Team of the Year, National Team of the Year and a Best XI.
Archive: FOX Sports' 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup Team of the Tournament
AFF president Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah explained one of the reasons behind the awards was the growing prominence of Southeast Asian football.
"In recent years, ASEAN football has cultivated some serious talent, and the region is growing as a football powerhouse," he said.
"We are gaining traction at a global level, and the time is right to honour the men and women who have dedicated their lives to the evolution and honour of the world's most popular sport."
Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah also guaranteed that the selection committee would go through extensive processes before deciding on the winners in each award category.
"We will be deliberating thoroughly before deciding on the shortlist of nominees and winners, which is a difficult process as all the nominees have given so much to the sport," he added.
"The nominees we have received in each category are incredibly talented and should be lauded for their contributions to date. They are all winners in their own right."
Given the Suzuki Cup was held last year, an award will also be given for the best goal in the tournament, which ended in Singapore winning a record fourth title after beating Thailand in the final.