Kuala lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) concluded on Thursday the AFC Professional Football Seminar 2025 held in the Malaysian capital from August 26 to 28. The three-day event served as an important platform for Asia’s professional football stakeholders to exchange expertise and explore pathways to further strengthen the professional game across the continent.
According to Qatar News Agency, the AFC Professional Football Seminar 2025 welcomed more than one hundred participants from across Asia, featuring representatives from FIFA and CONCACAF, members of the AFC Professional Football Committee, as well as special guest Rebekah Stott, the MVP of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2024/25. Participants delved into in-depth studies of the various pillars of professional football development, which examined the key tenets of club football growth and the professionalization of women’s football.
Participants also heard from representatives of the Qatar Stars League, J.League, the UAE Pro League, and the Cambodia Premier League, who shared case studies from their respective league development initiatives and club licensing systems. The program also featured a presentation on the FIFA Club Benefits Programme, which recognizes clubs with financial rewards for their contribution to the successful staging of the FIFA World Cup.
AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John highlighted the launch of new club competitions last year, noting their success in reshaping Asian football. He reaffirmed the AFC’s vision to remain a leading confederation and ensure football continues to be Asia’s number one sport, stressing the need for continuous development of clubs to achieve this goal.