AFC Development Committee underlines stronger support for MAs and RAs
The lasting and widespread impact of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s development programmes in strengthening its Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) was further emphasised by the AFC Development Committee at its fourth meeting held virtually today.
Led by Chairperson Salem Said Salem Al Wahaibi, the Committee approved the proposal to introduce the new consolidated AFC Enhance Programme Regulations which will simplify the existing Regulations and Policies and establish a more transparent regulatory framework for all beneficiary MAs and RAs.
Henceforth, the AFC Enhance Member Association Programme Regulations and Policy and the AFC Enhance Regional Association Programme Regulations and Policy, the AFC Enhance Member Association Advantage and Extra-Time Programmes will be implemented under the umbrella of the AFC Enhance Programme Regulations.
Additionally, the consolidation will not only provide greater clarity on the duties and responsibilities of all the stakeholders involved but will also pave the way for a more user-friendly experience for all MAs and RAs by simplifying and enhancing the procedural rules governing the application process.
Members of the Committee were also pleased to note the profound effect of the AFC’s development programmes in reinforcing the capacities and capabilities of its MAs and RAs, with as many as 34 MAs applying for the AFC Enhance Member Association Programme and close to USD7 million of approved funding disbursed.
Similarly, the Committee noted that 20 MAs have applied for the AFC Enhance Member Association Advantage Programme with another 15 requesting for assistance under the AFC Enhance Member Association Extra-Time Programme.
At the same time, four RAs have applied for the AFC Enhance Regional Association Programme with close to USD600k disbursed, while the role of the AFC Regional Association Strategy Support Programme in further elevating the standards of good governance among the Confederation’s RAs was also lauded.
Members of the Committee also acknowledged the remarkable progress of the landmark programmes under the AFC Academic Centre of Excellence, which marked its first-year anniversary last month, with both the AFC Football Management Certificate and the AFC Football Management Diploma on course to introduce their fourth editions in October 2022 since being launched in September 2021.