Led by Chairperson Yasser H. Almisehal, the Committee received a comprehensive update on the AFC Enhance Programme Regulations and approved the applications from the Qatar Football Association, the Lebanese Football Association, The Football Association of Thailand, Tajikistan Football Federation, Lao Football Federation, The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited as well as the AFC Enhance Programme – Extra-Time proposal from The Kyrgyz Football Union.
Most notably, the Committee was pleased to recognise the game-changing footprint of the AFC Enhance Programme in transforming the standards of Asian football with as many as 34 AFC Member Associations (MAs) poised to benefit from the breakthrough programme and close to USD20m in funding approved in 2023.
Likewise, members of the Committee were informed that 17 MAs have applied for the AFC Enhance Member Association Programme – Advantage, with another six MAs requesting assistance under the Extra-Time Programme.
Similarly, all five of the AFC’s Regional Associations have applied for the Enhance Programme, with more than USD2.1m in funding approved from 2021 till present.
Underlining the Confederation’s commitment towards enhancing the capabilities of Asia’s future football leaders, the landmark initiatives under the AFC Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE) was also hailed by the Committee.
Close to 250 participants have graduated from the groundbreaking AFC Football Management Certificate and AFC Football Management Diploma programmes since their inauguration in September 2021.
At the same time, the AFC ACE’s latest initiatives – the AFC Certificate in Football Leadership and the AFC Certificate in Child Safeguarding – have also been unanimously well received amongst the AFC’s MAs and RAs, and are similarly well positioned to strengthen the foundations of the larger Asian football ecosystem.
