Coach education in Asia reached a significant milestone today, claimed AFC, after the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Technical Committee approved the regulations and guidelines of the AFC Coaching Convention at its meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Convention will serve as an agreement between the AFC and its Member Associations on the coach education rules and methods, to function as a valuable tool in the education of the Continent’s tutors and strengthen the development of Asia’s future coaches at all levels.
Earlier, the Committee led by Chairman Mr Kohzo Tashima (JPN), emphasised the importance of the Convention in enhancing the quality and quantity of Asian coach tutors as the AFC strived to realise its ambitions to succeed on the world stage, under the banner of One Asia, One Goal. When fully operational, the Convention will also facilitate a more seamless movement of coaches throughout the Continent.
Today’s meeting also noted the positive impact of the newly-introduced AFC Grassroots Charter and the Annual Awards in raising the level of commitment among the AFC Member Associations. The attendees were happy as this year’s AFC Grassroots Football Day observed another participation record for the fifth successive year since 2013.
In a bid to strengthen its current recognition categories, the Committee also agreed to introduce three new Special Grassroots Awards. The new categories – Best Grassroots Leader, Club and Project – will be launched in 2018 with the aim to pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the grassroots game of the continent.
During the meeting, the Committee also discussed the technical elements and impact of the AFC’s future competition strategy and agreed to explore the possibility of organising intercontinental youth selection matches between the AFC and it sister Confederations.
The decisions taken today will require approval from the AFC Executive Committee before taking effect.