The third edition of the Conference, which closes on October 19, assembles the top executive figures from the AFC’s MAs and RAs with the aim of facilitating and ensuring the highest professional and governance standards.

Hosted by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), the Conference opened with welcome addresses from AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and SAFF President Yasser Almisehal.

In welcoming participants, Shaikh Salman said: “Since our last Conference, the AFC has implemented significant reforms that have strengthened our competitions and laid the foundation for a brighter future.

“This year, I want to reaffirm our commitment to progressive reforms. The AFC will continue to work tirelessly to achieve our shared objectives, but we know this can only happen when we put our Member Associations and Regional Associations at the heart of everything we do.

“That is why this annual Conference is so important. It is designed to provide participants with the necessary knowledge, tools and connections to reach new levels of excellence.”

The event kicked off with Andy Roxburgh, the AFC’s Technical Director, who set the tone with a presentation on the AFC’s Mission to become the world’s leading Confederation and ensuring the success of Asian teams. He was followed by Abdulaziz Al Afaleq, the Saudi Pro League Chairman, who shared key insights from the league’s vision and growth.

UEFA Executive Director of Social & Environmental Sustainability Michele Uva then shared his thoughts on how football’s impact goes beyond the game, while consultant Darlene Harrison elaborated on ways to utilise culture as a means to embed sustainability in Asian football.

Day One of the Conference closed with a panel discussion on creating high-performance national associations moderated by Anter Isaac, the President of Football Australia, which featured John Anthony V. Gutierrez (President, Philippine Football Federation), Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (President, Japan Football Association), Samar Nassar (General Secretary, Jordan Football Association), Frederic Guillemont (Chief Operating Officer, Oceania Football Confederation) and Ravshan Irmatov (Senior Vice President, Uzbekistan Football Association).

Bangladesh Football Federation President Tabith Awal said: “The AFC’s strong determination to continuously strive for the benefit of its MAs and RAs is truly admirable, and by working closely together, through events like this Conference, I am sure Asian football will continue to reach greater heights.”

The opening of the Conference proved equally memorable for Northern Mariana Islands Football Association General Secretary Emerenciana Tolentino, who said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to keep up with the latest developments in Asian and world football, and the information shared here will go a long way towards enhancing our organisational operations.”

The second day of the Conference will feature Datuk Seri Windsor John, AFC General Secretary; Professor Simon Chadwick, a prominent researcher, writer, consultant and academic; Elkhan Mammadov, FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer; Frederic Guillemont, OFC Chief Operating Officer; and Güşan Hatko Founder & CEO, Hatko Sports Technologies.

It will also showcase a second panel discussion moderated by Vahid Kardany, AFC Deputy General Secretary - Member Associations.