The announcement, in the Qatari capital of Doha, marks a major coup for AFC, which now has a strong commercial partner for its flagship national and club tournaments.

Qtel Chairman Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani was quoted as saying: “Qtel is a major supporter of sport in Qatar and regionally, and we are proud to be associated with opportunities like this that help demonstrate Qatar’s sporting prowess on a global stage.”

“With football growing in popularity and capturing the imagination of the whole community, the Cup and the Champions League will bring together the diverse nations of Asia and the Middle East to witness an exciting series of tournament matches.”

The 2011 AFC Asian Cup will be held in Doha while the AFC Champions League is set to undergo a major revamp from 2009 with a new professional league featuring clubs from the best-run leagues in the continent.

AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam said he was looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with Qtel.

“We are delighted to welcome Qtel as a sponsor for both the Asian Cup 2011 and the Asian Champions League. With their growing prominence within the region and their long-track record as a supporter and promoter of sport and sporting competition, Qtel is an ideal partner for us to work with,” Bin Hammam was quoted as saying.

The deal was finalised by AFC, Qatar Football Association and AFC’s marketing partner World Sport Group.

Qtel will use its experience from the 2006 Doha Asian Games to provide one of the most advanced communication systems available at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.