The AFC Youth Panel noted the increase of top level competitions organised by the AIFF which include the AFC U-16 Championship in 2016, the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 as well as the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, underlining its determination on youth football development.

The focus on youth football of the AIFF was also reinforced as the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) Academy and JSW Bengaluru FC Academy received a two-star Academy status by the AFC Youth Panel.

AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh highlighted the significance of the AFC Elite Youth Scheme at the beginning of the meeting: “As an endorsement by the AFC, the Elite Youth Scheme is an important step in talent development that will help the Member Associations (MA) establish youth academies and training centres and to grade these as a method of improving standards and creating a bridge to the elite game.”

The AFC Elite Youth Scheme, which highlights 11 key criteria such as competitions, coaches, talent ID medical services and education, is aimed at providing MAs with Continental recognition for their elite youth programmes and to help them succeed in their efforts to nurture talented footballers.

The highly acclaimed Scheme continues to recognise efforts by MAs to develop a strong and sustainable foundation for youth football in their country.

QFA has been successful in the transition of its youth players to the senior team and was duly rewarded when AFC Player of the Year 2019 Akram Afif and Almoez Ali helped Qatar lift the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 for the first-time.

KFA’s success in AFC and FIFA youth competitions, most recently their gallant runner-up finish at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019, underlines their commitment towards building and improving their foundation for youth football.

Japan’s Eiichiro Matsuki received the Best Grassroots Leader award while Paro FC from Bhutan and ISF Football Programme were conferred the Best Grassroots Club and Best Grassroots Project accolades respectively.

Meanwhile, full-time teacher Chan Shuk Chi of Hong Kong, who is an AFC-KFA Pro-Diploma license coach and current Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) U12 Girls’ team head coach, was named the Youth Coach of the Year (Female) in the award ceremony.

Making history as the first Youth Coach of the Year (Male) was Abdulwahab Alharbi from Saudi Arabia, with the Youth Football League of Tajikistan winning the Youth League of the Year award and Chinese side, Shandong Luneng Taishan claiming the Youth Academy of the Year Award.

The Youth Coach of the Year (Female) will be announced during the AFC Women’s Conference in Kuala Lumpur on November 19, 2019.