The three-day programme, organised by the TFF, saw participation from 29 clubs, national team doctors and physiotherapists.

The participants were exposed to theoretical and practical sessions, on-pitch emergency medicine and anti-doping procedures.

The three-day course will run from July 15-17 and will see the 26 participants undergo theoretical and practical sessions that will focus on evidence-based sports medicine topics.

The course is part of the AFC President’s Development initiative which aims to strengthen the capabilities of Member Associations in the various aspects of football development, in particular, the protection and care of the health of football players so that they can always perform at the optimum level.

India will be the fourth country to host the prestigious conference after Malaysia (2000 and 2011), Japan (1995) and Oman (2005).

All India Football Federation Senior Vice President Subrata Dutta and Chairman of the AFC Medical Committee Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh lit a traditional the lamp to signify the launch of the conference. 

FIFA Regional Development Officer for South and Central Asia Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, Director General of the Sports Authority of India Jiji Thomson, Organising Secretary of the AFC Medical Conference Dr. PSM Chandran and a host of other dignitaries were also present during the occasion. 

The launching ceremony took place almost a year before the conference, the first-of-its-kind in India which will be held from April 2 to 4 in New Delhi.

Dutta said it’s an honour for India to host the biggest sports medicine conference in Asia. 

“It is indeed vibrant times for Indian football,” he said. “With the FIFA U-17 World Cup set to take place in three years’ time, the first-of-its kind AFC Medical Conference in India could not have come at a better time. Success comes when the right action is taken at the right time.  

“We have the ISL (Indian Super League) which will kick-off in September. Medical science covers talent scouting by genetic application, prevention of injury, recovery from stress, doping control and also performance enhancement, all of which are vital aspects of the game.”

Dutta also stressed to the clubs and their administrators on the need to understand the importance of medical science in today’s modern game. 

“There is an immense scope of improvement in this area,” he said. “I-League clubs should include sports science for prevention of injury and recovery, which the clubs have been neglecting, with the exceptions of Bengaluru FC and Pune FC.” 

“Bengaluru FC’s recent win in the I-League was victory for professionalism over traditionalism. They have the best medical team which travels with the squad. 

“Three physiotherapists, one conditioning coach and a dietician always travel with them. Fewer injuries and a fit squad have as been the key to their success, not big names.” 

Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan said: “It was gratifying to see Asian football progressing in the field of medical science and that Indian football is not far behind. 

“The medical conference is a flagship event for AFC in the field of sports science and medicine and I firmly believe that India with its development programme and the rate at which it is growing, is the right place to host it.” 

He also underlined the fact that with the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in India in 2017, “pre-competition medical assessment is very much required with the latest technologies and practices.”

Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan also stressed on advanced medical care backed with proper infrastructure. “With players playing around 50 to 60 matches a year advanced medical care with proper infrastructure is very much needed,” he said. 

“You can have the best doctors with you but without proper infrastructure and process, you cannot proceed. FIFA ensures a pre-competition medical assessment is absolutely necessary.” 

“Along with that, an automated external defibrillator (AED) should be available at all times and upon a cardiac arrest on the pitch, it’s mandatory the AED is reachable within three minutes. We have to keep in mind, with every minute the chance of survival goes down.” 

“The AFC has plans to take the 5th Medical Conference to a greater level. It is not only about the name change which has been kept in tune with FIFA but subjects like team physiotherapist workshop, sports physiotherapists workshop and anti-doping workshop would also be conducted with the help of the New Delhi Anti Doping Laboratory.” 

Dr. Prabhakaran called for support from the medical community for all I-League clubs, state associations and all stakeholders. 

“FIFA always supports the use of modern medical technology,” he said. “All stake holders involved in football need to spread the message across the length and breadth of the country.”

Photo: AIFF

A two-member AFC delegation led by its Medical Committee Chairman Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh visited New Delhi for potential venues inspection for the mega event.

The conference, the first of its kind to be held in India, is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from April 2 to 4, 2015, and around 800-1,000 participants from all over the world are expected to attend the conference which is held every four years.

During the inspection visit, the AFC delegation had meetings with the AIFF led by its General Secretary Kushal Das and also attended by FIFA Regional Developmental Officer for South and Central Asia Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, as well as AIFF departmental heads.

“The AFC team led by Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh came over to inspect the possible venues for the 5th AFC Medical Conference to be held in New Delhi in April 2015,” Das told The-AIFF.com.

“They were extremely satisfied with the facilities and were optimistic that this would be a very good conference with big participation.

“The AIFF along with the FIFA Development Office will make every effort to make this conference a big success.”

The conference in India is expected to be a success on the back of the 2011 edition in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur which saw a record number of more than 400 participants.

Photo: AIFF

The two-day course will see from 14 medical officers from 11 Member Associations go through a series of theoretical and practical sessions, relevant to the duties and responsibilities of AFC Medical Officers in AFC tournaments.

The programme, which was recommended by FIFA with the Chairperson of the AFC Medical Committee during the FIFA Medical Committee Meeting in Zurich in March 2018, is aimed at training Medical & Doping Control Officers on strategies to fight doping and provide updates on the current trends in the doping control programme.

The Chennai-based facility which strives to be a dedicated world-class centre for sports science, medical services and education in India, has met all the criteria including the AFC guidelines, and is the first facility in the country to receive the AFC’s recognition.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa presented the award to CSS Director Dr. S. Arumugam at the accreditation ceremony, which was also attended by AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John.

Dr. Arumugam expressed his gratitude and also said: “Football is a growing sport in India, and this recognition gives us the opportunities to collaborate with leaders in the football industry, and most importantly, attain best practices and guidelines that would benefit the athletes.”

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who presented the award to KLSMC Founder and Director, Dr. Saw Kay Yong and renowned Sports Medicine Consultant, Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh with Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) President Dato’ Hamidin Amin also present, lauded the spirit of partnership to set new medical benchmarks.

He said: “The AFC Vision and Mission has made clear our desire to ensure the success of Asian football and sports medicine plays an essential role in delivering those objectives.

“The AFC continues to take on a leadership role in best medical practices and through the ever-growing network of the AFC Medical Centres of Excellence, we are committed to expanding the scope and access for players to obtain world-class medical attention and treatment.

"It also paves the way to enhance the capabilities of medical practitioners through greater partnerships, sharing of scientific knowledge and capacity building.

“On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to commend KLSMC and host association FAM, for sharing the AFC’s Vision to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of our players and their dedication in elevating the standards of football and sports medicine in Asia.”