Asia to lift the bar for all Asian Leagues

The Asian Football Confederation have appointed Japanese Football Association president Saburo Kawabuchi to conduct a study into the professionalism of all leagues in Asia. Kawabuchi changed the Japanese J-League into the modern professional operation it is today.

In 2009 only teams from professional leagues can enter the Asia Champions League.
AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam told Reuters."What we are looking for is 32 teams playing in top competition. Even if those 32 teams come from just six or seven countries, that is still the way to become successful."

"Television and sponsors only pay for top products, that is a reality," he told reporters in the Malaysian capital.

Seems to me slowly but surely the AFC are moving forward. This can only be good news for the future of the game in Australia. Is the AFC moving in the right direction?