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Sports Medicine
Attended by more than 50 medical personnel from across the Continent, the 2026 edition features several eminent speakers, including FIFA Medical Committee Chairperson Dr Andrew Massey and UEFA Chief Medical Officer Dr Zoran Bahtijarević, alongside Dr Peter Dzendrowskyj and Dr Celeste Geertsema, both representing Aspetar, one of the world's foremost orthopaedic and sports medicine hospitals.
The first two days are dedicated to Emergency Medicine, with participants gaining valuable insights into emergency preparedness, trauma management, cardiac emergencies and concussion, before the programme shifts its focus towards anti-doping matters.
In his welcome address, AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John emphasised the need for medical practitioners to stay abreast of the latest best practices in order to discharge their duties seamlessly both on and off the pitch.
The AFC General Secretary said: “The demands of the modern game of football have been growing immensely and with them, so have our responsibilities.
“As custodians of the beautiful game in different capacities, we must do our part to help our Member Associations establish stronger systems and ensure that players across Asia can benefit from the best standards of care and protection.”
In the first session of the inaugural day, participants received valuable insights from Dr Massey on preparing medical services for matches, including the development of a pre-match emergency action plan.
This was followed by Dr Geertsema and Dr Dzendrowskyj drawing on their expertise to explore emergency action plans, with a particular focus on Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The subsequent sessions saw participants examine a range of other medical emergencies, including anaphylaxis, asthma, chest pain and seizures.
Besides the informative lectures, they also had the opportunity to take part in several practical sessions, including training in basic life support and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
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The second day’s proceedings began with Dr Bahtijarević highlighting the various initiatives undertaken by UEFA to promote player wellbeing, following which Dr Massey presented the salient features of injury management at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Additionally, participants had the opportunity to put their theoretical learning into practice during the practical sessions, where they engaged in exercises on primary assessment and extrication, before concluding with a dynamic group activity focused on honing their ability to assess and manage athletes following a suspected concussion on the field.
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