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By Martin Petty
BANGKOK, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Qatar will submit a bit to become the new hosts of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after the body announced plans to move out of Malaysia, its home for the last 43 years. Saud al Mohannadi, secretary-general of Qatar's soccer federation, said the tiny Gulf state's experience in hosting major sports events meant it would be an ideal host for the AFC.
"We are waiting to see what the AFC asks for but we are interested in hosting them," he told Reuters on Wednesday. "We have hosted big sports events and have a passion for football. Our organisation has always been excellent. We are only a small country but we believe we have an excellent chance."
The Qatari bid is likely to cause a stir among the AFC's 46 member countries, many of which are concerned about the growing power of the oil-rich Arab nations in Asian soccer.
Malaysia is refusing to submit a bid to remain hosts because of what it says are "excessive" demands by the AFC, which include tax breaks, interest-free loans, free use of stadiums and diplomatic status for top officials.
Al Mohannadi said it was too soon to say whether Qatar would be able to meet all of the AFC's requirements but was positive it could deliver on most.
"We cannot say just yet but I think these criteria should be no problem."
The AFC needs support from 70 percent of its members in order to relocate from Kuala Lumpur.
The United Arab Emirates has also expressed interest in hosting the AFC in either Dubai or the capital Abu Dhabi, but is yet to confirm whether a bid will be submitted.
"We are in discussions with the government about the possibility of having the AFC here," Mohamed Yousuf Abdullah, secretary-general of UAE's soccer federation, told Reuters.
Other countries rumoured to be interested are Singapore and Thailand, neither of which gave comment.
