Ma Yuanan, former head coach of the Chinese women's football, has received the Gold Service Award from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Ma was presented with the award for his role in developing women's football in China. He is the only recipient from the Chinese mainland among 38 Asian coaches and instructors who were honored for their years of contributions to Asian football as the AFC marks 2010 as Asian Coaches Year.

Ma, 65, who has already retired, was a football player until 1975. He coached the Beijing Women's Team from 1986 to 1992 and served as head coach of the national women's team from 1992 to 2001.

Ma created a prime era in Chinese women's football. Under his coaching, the Chinese team was runner-up in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and the Olympic Games in 1996.