Kick Off programme a major milestone in Bahrain

An AFC delegation from the Kick Off programme conducted a visit to Bahrain from May 1​4 to 1​5​ to explain the programme to Bahrain Football Association (BFA) officials, highlight the services provided under the programme and conduct a Club Licensing Seminar. 

The AFC’s delegation consisted of AFC Head of Development Stuart Larman and Development Officer Essam Al Suhibani.

The first day’s activities included presentations by the BFA on its competition structure and marketing aspects as well as presentations by clubs.

The Club Licensing Seminar was held on the second day of the visit to familiarise the clubs with the concept and importance of the Club Licensing Regulations and explain the process and mechanism of their implementation.

“This is an important day for football development in Bahrain as today we are starting the club licensing system for our league as well as becoming part of the AFC Kick Off Development Programme,” said Mohammed during the opening of the seminar.

“We thank the AFC Kick Off team and we will be working together for the development of league and clubs in Bahrain.”

During the Club Licensing Seminar, the clubs learned the importance of safeguarding the credibility, reliability and integrity of the league and clubs and also increasing the level of management and organisation within the clubs.

The licensing regulations are also important to improve the economic and financial capability of the clubs as well as to improve infrastructure facilities to provide media and spectators with well-equipped and safe stadium, the clubs heard during the seminar.

Kick Off is a programme which focuses on strengthening the club and league management of AFC’s Member Associations (MAs) through tailor-made, self-sustainable solutions.  

Bahrain is one of 20 countries currently benefiting from Kick Off which gives its support through a wide range of services chosen by the participating MAs.