Asian Football: AFC Development Committee pledges greater support for MAs and RAs
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s steadfast desire to strengthen the foundations for its Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) was reiterated today after the AFC Development Committee approved several key decisions at its second meeting held virtually.
Chairperson Yasser H. Almisehal was unanimous in praising the continued legacy of the AFC’s development programmes, underpinned by the concerted efforts to provide more tailormade solutions for the Confederation’s members.
Most notably, the Committee approved the AFC Enhance Programme Regulations for the upcoming 2025-2028 cycle which will see RAs receive double the funding from the current cycle, increasing from USD250,000 to USD500,000 per year.
The Committee also acknowledged the diverse and unique challenges faced by several MAs in applying for the AFC Enhance Programme, with manpower and funding constraints amongst some of the pertinent issues raised.
Underlining its determination to leave no AFC member behind, the Committee highlighted the importance of broadening the scope and use of unutilised funds within the calendar year, and approved exemptions for six MAs from Article 9.4 (Application Process to Benefit from the Enhance Programme Fund) of the current AFC Enhance Programme Regulations and one from Article 13.3.1 (Unclaimed Funds).
Extending the same principle, the Committee also mandated the Administration to determine the MAs to be exempted from Article 13.4 and Article 14.2 (Unutilised Balance) of the current Regulations, further reinforcing the AFC’s commitment to provide more customised solutions for its MAs.
Members of the Committee were also pleased to note that 37 MAs have applied for the AFC Enhance Programme (Stadium), with close to USD 20 million in funding approved in 2024. Similarly, 37 MAs have also applied for the AFC Enhance Programme (Kick-Off, Pass and Volley), with more than USD 9 million approved in 2024 thus far.
The Committee noted that as many as 19 MAs had benefited from the AFC Enhance Programme (Advantage) and another 12 will be supported by the AFC Enhance Programme (Extra-Time) with more than USD 3 million of funds approved for both programmes in 2024.
Meanwhile, it was also acknowledged that all five RAs have applied for the AFC Enhance Programme with close to USD 2 million in funding approved in 2024.
The Committee recognised the sustained impact of the landmark capability and capacity building programmes under the AFC Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE). Since its last meeting, the AFC has introduced the AFC Certificate in Football Leadership, which saw 19 participants graduate from its inaugural edition in November 2023 and 36 participants due to conclude their learning journey later this year.
Meanwhile, 137 participants have completed the AFC Certificate in Child Safeguarding Insights course, and another 296 participants have enrolled in the AFC Certificate in Football Administration and Management.
All decisions will need to be ratified by the AFC Executive Committee to take effect.
