The AFC Technical Committee reinforced its focus towards further elevating the technical foundations of Asian football by approving a host of key strategic decisions at its third meeting held virtually today.

Led by Chairperson Kohzo Tashima, the Committee took the opportunity to congratulate the winners of the recently concluded Continental deciders, which include the newly crowned champions of the revamped men’s club competitions as well as the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League™.

The Committee approved the new approach and criteria process for the AFC Annual Awards in both the players’ and coaches’ categories as well as the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football, the AFC Special Grassroots Awards, and the AFC Special Elite Youth Awards.

Moving forward, nominees for the AFC Player of the Year (Men & Women) must be competing in the top leagues in Asia, the AFC Champions League Elite™ and their National Teams whilst the nominees for the AFC International Player of the Year (Men & Women) must be playing in top leagues and the National Team.

At the same time, in the event a notable coach or player is not nominated by a Member Association (MA), the AFC Administration reserves the right to include the player or coach in the list of nominees.

Additionally, the AFC Administration will identify all the winners in the above categories, including the grassroots and elite youth accolades, based on a points system, with more information on the new system to be communicated to all MAs in due course.

Meanwhile, the Terms of Reference for members of the AFC Technical Experts, comprising the AFC Coach Education Panel, the AFC Grassroots Panel and the AFC Youth Panel were also approved by the Committee.

Before concluding, the Committee received an update on the scope of the Confederation’s virtual and physical technical events held since its last meeting, as well as the growing impact and progress of the AFC’s landmark membership initiatives: the AFC Grassroots Charter, the Elite Youth Scheme, and the AFC Coaching Convention.

All decisions need to be ratified by the AFC Executive Committee before taking effect.