Datuk Paul Mony Samuel officially assumes the position of general secretary of the Asian Football Confederation today. AFCMedia reported that Mony had served the Football Association of Malaysia for 25 years, 18 of them as general secretary. "It was during his tenure as general secretary that FAM’s administration was widely acknowledged as highly professional and FIFA football’s governing body, sent officials from other national FAs to be attached with FAM." In 2002, Mony resigned from FAM after he was appointed as the FIFA Development officer for Asia, a program that was started by Joseph Blatter to develop football. Mony, who now replaces Datuk Peter Velappan, also served as a general coordinator in the last four World Cups. He was appointed AFC deputy general secretary in 2004 and was elevated to the top administration post after Velappan announced his resignation during an AFC Exco meeting last November.