Farewell to AFC’s ‘Number One’

Far less often does it remember the people who quietly help make those moments possible.

For almost four decades, Wong Lian Koi belonged to that rare group.

Former colleagues affectionately called her “Number One” because she was the first employee hired by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Wong died on Monday at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy defined not by public acclaim but by steadfast service to Asian football.

She joined the AFC in 1979 as secretary to then general secretary Peter Vellapan when the confederation operated from its modest offices in Birch Road, now Jalan Maharaja Lela, in Kuala Lumpur.

Few could have imagined the AFC would grow into one of world football’s most influential continental bodies.

Even fewer would have predicted Wong would remain part of that journey until her retirement in 2017.

Across 38 years, she served under four AFC presidents and four general secretaries until her retirement in 2017.

She witnessed Asian football evolve from typewriters and handwritten correspondence to the digital age, from a small office in the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) building to the modern AFC House in Bukit Jalil.

Amid all that change, colleagues say Wong remained exactly the same — dependable, humble and devoted to her work.

Former AFC general secretary Alex Soosay described her as one of the confederation’s true pioneers.

“She was a dedicated and loyal member of staff. I always called her Number One because she was the AFC’s first employee.

“Her tireless dedication helped the AFC grow from its early years into the modern organisation it is today.

“During the years we worked together, she served in technical, competitions, disciplinary matters, event management and logistics.

“She approached every responsibility with professionalism, worked cheerfully with member associations, Fifa and our stakeholders, and always put the organisation first.

Wong also served as secretary to the AFC technical committee chaired by Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

“Although she received awards for her distinguished service, I will remember her most for her warmth, kindness and generosity,” said Soosay.

Soosay said Wong represented the many dedicated staff whose sacrifices rarely attracted public attention.

“She was an untold story of dedication, commitment and passion for the AFC.”

Former AFC head of communications A Subramaniam said Wong’s contribution extended far beyond her job title.

“Wong belonged to a generation that quietly built the AFC long before football administration became the global industry it is today.

“If you wanted to understand the AFC, you spoke to her because she knew its people, history and culture.

“I hope people remember pioneers like Wong because organisations are built not only by leaders, but also by loyal staff who work behind the scenes.”

Subramaniam said Wong was among the first three employees recruited to support Vellapan when the AFC secretariat shared the FAM building.

From those modest beginnings, the AFC grew into the governing body for one of football’s largest and most diverse continents.

Wong was there for almost every step and her dedication earned the respect of football’s biggest names.

She received the AFC Distinguished Service Award from then president Sultan Ahmad Shah in the presence of then Fifa president Joseph Blatter.

Wong was also recognised by then Uefa president Michel Platini and former Fifa general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen.

Founded in Manila on May 8, 1954, the AFC established its administrative base in Kuala Lumpur four years later under the leadership of Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The AFC’s story is often told through its leaders, competitions and milestones.

Wong never sought a place in that history. Yet, for nearly four decades, she quietly helped write it.

The last rites for Wong will be conducted today at the Kwong Tong Cemetery Funeral Parlour Hall in Bukit Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, from 12pm before cremation at the DBKL Crematorium at 2pm.

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