Stellar line-up of speakers join 7th AFC Medical Conference Qatar 2022

Dr. Michel D'Hooghe, Chairman of the FIFA Medical Committee, will deliver a keynote address on the theme ‘Football and Sports Medicine – Celebrating Diversity’ to set the tone for the Conference.

AFC Medical Committee Chairperson Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh, an experienced sports medicine physician and expert in anti-doping programmes, will be joined by the FIFA Medical Director, Dr Andrew Massey, Professor Roald Bahr, Head of the Aspetar Sports Injury & Illness Prevention (ASPREV) Programme and many other sports medicine and science experts from Aspetar and around the world.

Other invited speakers include Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Information Systems at the Hamad Medical Corporation Dr. Abdulwahab Al Musleh and Professor Yung Shu-hang Patrick, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, who holds various other medical positions in Hong Kong.

Key speakers from FIFA, UEFA, CONMEBOL and Aspetar will share their knowledge in the field of football medicine, fitness and conditioning, and anti-doping, focussing on and celebrating diversity, evidence-based clinical pearls and cutting-edge research. Topics include women’s football, concussion, knee and anterior cruciate ligament injuries, cardiac screening and cardiac arrest on the pitch, COVID-19 and return to play decision-making, mental health and sexual harassment in sport.

In addition to invited symposia and lectures, the 7th AFC Medical Conference Qatar 2022 Organising Committee is also inviting speakers and presenters to contribute to the scientific programme through the submission of abstracts for the free paper sessions.

Please click here for more information on the programme and speakers at the 7th AFC Medical Conference Qatar 2022, and how to submit your abstract or free paper application.

AFC Medical Committee prioritises the health and wellbeing of players

The Kitchee – CUHK Sports Medicine Clinic will now be part of 10 AFC Medical Centres / Clinics of Excellence, a concept launched in 2018 to provide better healthcare for footballers in Asia by recognising medical institutions and clinics which demonstrate leadership in clinical skills, rehabilitation, research, and education as well as injury prevention.

Welcoming the spirit of partnership to grow the AFC’s network of Medical Centres / Clinics of Excellence, Chairperson Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh said: “Asia is a vast continent, and the AFC is continuously looking to expand the scope and access for players to obtain world-class medical attention and treatment.

“The AFC remains committed towards taking on a leading role in adopting the world’s best medical practices and through the ever-expanding family of the AFC Medical Centres of Excellence, we are committed to enhance the capabilities of medical practitioners through greater partnerships, which in turn will enable us to provide greater care for players in Asia.”

In its continued effort to keep football clean of doping, the Committee agreed to organise the AFC Anti-Doping Accreditation Course to be held virtually in December 2021 to keep AFC Anti-Doping Control Officers abreast of the latest changes in the WADA Code.

In a drive to uplift the level of on-field emergency care of players during matches, the Committee agreed to launch the Emergency Medicine Course to be held in Doha 2022 prior to the 7th AFC Medical Conference. Sports medicine doctors and emergency medicine physicians will be invited to participate in this high-level state of the art course.

The Committee also took steps to address the key topics of mental health and abuse in football, as well as sexual harassment and agreed to conduct a pilot study to further understand the situation in Asia.

7th AFC Medical Conference Qatar 2022 set for March

With the theme “Football and sports medicine – celebrating diversity,” the highly-acclaimed 7th AFC Medical Conference Qatar 2022 will focus on women’s football, youth, recreational footballers of all ages, and footballers with special needs. The programme includes keynote addresses, lectures, symposia, free papers, poster presentations and clinical cadaver workshops, and will highlight areas of contention on the return to football during the COVID-19 pandemic and evolution of diversity and inclusion in football.

Medical webinar highlights the importance of health and safety

More than 200 medical practitioners benefit from insightful anti-doping webinar

AFC to form COVID-19 Advisory Expert Group

Epidemiological and Public Health Experts will be tasked to provide the AFC with expert advice on the current pandemic and establish recommendations and guidance in the management and prevention of the infection.

Leading the discussions at its third meeting, Chairperson Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has been the toughest crisis in modern history, and it is crucial that we continue to support our Member Associations and provide important professional advice to the AFC.

“Through the AFC COVID-19 Advisory Expert Group, the AFC will not only ensure our competitions continue to implement the highest medical protocols, providing greater clarity and offer advice as well as assistance during these unprecedented times.”