Fernando, Zhang nominated for FIFA Order of Merit

(BEIJING, March 11) -- AFC vice-presidents Zhang Jilong of China and V. Manilal Fernando of Sri Lanka have been named as candidates for the FIFA Order of Merit due to their contributions to Asian football.

Fernando became the youngest president of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka in 1979. He was a member of the AFC Executive Committee for the 1979-82, 1990-94 and 1994-98 terms, and since 1998, he has been elected AFC vice-president three times.

Fifty-six-year-old Zhang has worked with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) since 1978 and became vice-president of both the CFA and AFC in 1997. He also served in the organizing committees of various AFC and FIFA tournaments.

The list of winners will be finalized during FIFA's Executive Committee meeting on March 14, and the awards will be conferred during the 58th FIFA Congress in Sydney on May 30.