Stalwart Fok joins Mandela on FIFA's elite Order of Merit

Former Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) supremo Henry Fok Ying-tung will share a stage with South African President Nelson Mandela in Paris next month when both men are presented with a prestigious award at the 51st FIFA Congress.

Fok was yesterday revealed as one of only 10 individuals who will be given the FIFA Order of Merit honour at the June 7 ceremony, which will kick off this year's Congress.

The 75-year-old business tycoon, who spent 27 years as president of the HKFA as well as a lengthy stint on the FIFA executive committee, could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

But FIFA director of communications Keith Cooper said Fok had received the award for his 'unstinting work' in helping the development of football in China and Hong Kong.

'He has been an excellent patron of football in Asia and China and Hong Kong. He has done a lot to help build the sport up and it was felt he deserved recognition,' Cooper said from FIFA's headquarters in Zurich.

Fok, whose son Timothy has now taken over the helm at the HKFA, will be in illustrious company when he receives the honour at the Congress, which is being held just three days before the kick-off of the World Cup.

As well as President Mandela, who was chosen for the award 'for his enthusiastic support in re-integrating football in post-apartheid South Africa', other recipients include German legend Gerd Muller and Brazilian goalkeeper Gilmar.