Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has praised the progress and ambition of the Mongolian Football Federation (MFF).

On his first official visit to the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, the AFC President met His Excellency Kh.Battulga, President of Mongolia, as well as G.Amgalanbaatar, the MFF President, and members of the MFF Council. He was also welcomed by S.Batbold, the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar and Governor of the capital city.

Shaikh Salman thanked the MFF for their contribution to Asian football and said: “I have been hugely impressed by the progress that football has made in Mongolia in the last few years – both on and off the pitch.

“Since 2015 there has been an expansion of the Mongolian Premier League from seven to 10 teams, which has also brought about an ever more professional structure and there is also the second division as well now – also comprising 10 teams.

“At the same time, the MFF has proved to be willing and hospitable hosts of many AFC qualifying tournaments – hosting groups in both the AFC U-16 and U-19 Championship qualifying tournament last year and they are not only first-time hosts of the AFC Women’s U-16 Championship qualifiers in September but will also enter a team for the first time.”