Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA) and UAE Professional League Committee (PLC) were rewarded with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) League Development Programme (LDP) Award on Monday for their exemplary efforts in enhancing the professionalism of club football with the introduction its new media education programme for players.
The AFC LDP award, which was approved and introduced by the AFC Development Committee in 2017, recognises the unique and exceptional work under the former AFC Development Programme.
Speaking at the first-ever award ceremony in Abu Dhabi, AFC Development Committee Chairperson HE Mohamed Khalfan Ms Al Romaithi said: “I would like to congratulate the United Arab Emirates Football Association and the United Arab Emirates Professional League Committee (PLC) for their commitment to collaborate and improve the landscape of club football.
“The UAE PLC’s decision to introduce a mandatory player education programme under the national Club Licensing Regulations is a major step forward and will play an important role in elevating the club administration and management standards in the country.”
The LDP comprised a diverse range of focus areas and activities, which include league management, club sponsorship, fan development, players’ support, legal, infrastructure management, maintenance and revenue generation.
Since the start of 2018, all of these activities now fall under the restructured programme, the AFC President’s Development Initiative.
Along with the UAEFA and UAE PLC, the Philippine Football Federation will also be recognised later in the year for the creation of the new national league and the fact that Ceres–Negros F.C. were crowned as inaugural AFC Cup ASEAN Zone Champions in 2017.