As he brought the curtain down the AFC’s historic two-day General Managers Seminar, Bin Hammam made it clear to 150 club managers from 14 Member Associations that they bear the burden of safeguarding the future of Asian football.

The Seminar provided club managers with deep insights into the best practices of club management, including player development, generating revenue, attracting fans and sponsorship and media activities.

It is hoped that participants can use what they have learned to enhance the professionalism of their own clubs in order to qualify for next year’s revamped AFC Champions League.

“After two days of intensive learning, I believe the participants now understand exactly what professionalism means and how, together, we need to take our continent to the future,” Bin Hammam said.

“The challenges are great and next season we are going to start the long journey to glory. We all have real challenges awaiting us. You carry on your shoulders the future of professional football in Asia.

“The fans expect a lot and we have to meet those expectations. The way this seminar has been conducted and the way you have received it tells me a lot. It tells me that you are committed and want to see a big improvement in our continent.”

Bin Hammam told participants to follow the lead set by Japan, which launched Asia’s most successful pro league, the J.League, more than a decade ago.

“Whatever you have heard, read or witnessed these past two days, if you don’t believe in it, changes cannot happen,” said Bin Hammam.

“Everybody must believe and must implement what they have learned. Don’t say you can’t do it. I believe everybody can do it. Japan did it. They did not say ’we can’t do it’.

“Only if you defeat it inside yourself will you fail. There is a shared responsibility among all of us to work hard and make this a success.”

AFC will announce which countries qualify for the 2009 AFC Champions League by mid-December.