Tasnim - Iran was named the AFC Inspiring Member Associations of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards 2017 on Wednesday.
The Iranian federation claimed the award of the AFC Inspiring Member Associations of the Year in the ceremony held at the Aksra Theatre King Power in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday.
Iran was the first Asian nation to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in June, while Persepolis of Iran reached the semi-final of the AFC Champions League 2017.
The counrty's club performances have had consistent improvements not only in football but futsal as well. Sanaye Giti Pasand had a perfect record to top Group C of the AFC Futsal AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017, before a narrow 3-2 loss to Thailand's Bluewave Chonburi to secure a runner-up spot.
On top of that, Iran was crowned winner in the inaugural AFC Beach Soccer Championship Malaysia 2017 in March to receive an automatic qualification to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas, where it finished third after losing 3-2 on penalties to Tahiti.
The prestigious award is given to a Member Association in recognition of its professional administration and governance as well its exceptional contribution to the development and promotion of the game at all levels within the country, the-afc reported.
The AFC’s Member Associations are divided into three categories namely ‘Inspiring’, ’Developing’ and ‘Aspiring’ based on their overall footballing prowess.