TEHRAN - The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has expressed condolences over the death of Peter Velappan, former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary.

FFIRI has expressed condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family of one of the most important architects of growing the game in Asia.

Velappan, who turned 83 on Oct 1, was survived by wife Datin Pavalam and two daughters.

Born in 1935, he studied in the United Kingdom and Canada before becoming a teacher in Seremban and subsequently became Assistant General Secretary of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in 1963.

He served as FAM Assistant General Secretary until 1980 as well as being Assistant Team Manager to the national team when it qualified for the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972.

In 1978, Dato’ Peter became the AFC General Secretary during a time of rapid expansion and development for the Confederation and for football on the Continent, which hosted its first FIFA World Cup – in Japan/Korea in 2002 – during his time in office. He was Co-ordination Director for the Organizing Committee and received FIFA’s distinguished service award for his 30 years of valuable contribution to the beautiful game in 2002.

The Malaysian was the longest-serving general secretary in the confederation’s 64-year history, heading up the administrative arm from 1978 until his retirement in 2007.