To further enhance player welfare and professional care, the Committee expanded its network of elite medical facilities by confirming the Sejong Sports Medicine and Performance Center as an AFC Medical Centre of Excellence.

The recognition marks the first time a facility in the Korea Republic has received the prestigious accolade and the institution will serve as a foundational asset for professional player development and recovery across East Asia.

The worldwide adverse climatic environment prompted the Committee to approve the formation of an AFC Extreme Conditions Advisory Expert Panel to reassess the current protocols for safe participation in extreme temperatures and air pollution.

Keeping in mind the importance of grassroots development in Asia, the Committee further approved the ‘Heading and Safety Guidelines in Children’s Football’. The landmark framework follows a proposal by the AFC Technical Committee during its fourth meeting last month, which had noted that the guidelines required the crucial validation of medical experts before implementation.