The AFC Elite Youth Team Scheme is a key step in talent development that will help MAs to further develop their youth programmes.

To enhance the standards of elite player development, AFC’s Youth Scheme has highlighted a number of criteria that are necessary for the education of talented players – many of whom will become future international players.

The AFC Elite Youth Scheme is an important step in talent development that will help the Member Associations (MAs) to establish youth academies or training centres, and to grade these as a method of improving standards and delivering players to the professional game.

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, who gave the opening remarks, said: “The AFC Elite Youth Scheme serves as a ground-breaking tool to achieve those ambitions.

“The scheme takes into consideration the world’s best practices in youth development.

“When fully operational, this endorsement scheme, together with the AFC Coaching Convention and Grassroots Charter, will systematically transform our chances of success.

“All of you have the mandate to unlock the great potential that exists in your countries and for Asian football. I look forward to your commitment in the implementation of this important elite youth scheme.”

The panel - overseen by the AFC Technical Committee and AFC General Secretary - is tasked with supporting the promotion and development of elite youth football in Asia, as well as designing and implementing the AFC Elite Youth Scheme, which is an endorsement scheme for Member Associations (MAs).

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, who opened the meeting said: “We all in this room share a common belief: A vibrant and comprehensive youth development system is the basis for success at the elite level.

“All of us here know that competing with the world’s best tomorrow requires a concerted investment and a clear focus for our youth today.

“And the AFC Elite Youth Scheme, which has been examined in great detail by this panel, will play a significant role to achieve our Vision and Mission. When fully operational, the scheme will play a crucial role in raising the technical competencies of Asian football.

“Together, I am confident that we will produce future stars of the game that will take Asian football to greater heights.”

The panel discussed the evaluation checklists and decision making processes of the new endorsement scheme.

Academies and training centres for girls were also among the topics discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and issues related to the AFC Elite Youth Scheme were also evaluated in some detail.

The youth panel members, together with a number of additional MA representatives, will participate in the first AFC Elite Youth Scheme Workshop which will take place later on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur. It is hoped that the event would be a launchpad for the introduction of the scheme to improve the detection and education of young talented players in Asia.

Eight teams from different parts of Zabul participated in the 10-day tournament which is aimed at encouraging youths to maintain peace and create empathy among its athletes in the province.

Football officials and participants in Zabul said holding this sort of  competitions will create solidarity and help identify talented players.

Players who took part in the tournament said it had helped them with their game as well as learn the importance of tolerance.

Zabul had also hosted a Peace Cup for Cricket competition in the province recently.