First held in 1995 in Tokyo, the 8th AFC Medical Conference will commemorate 30 years of scientific exchange, collaboration, and progress in athlete care across Asia, in the presence of distinguished guests, including Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports YB Hannah Yeoh and FIFA Medical Director Dr Andrew Massey.

The three-day event kicked off with pre-conference workshops on Monday and will feature speakers from leading global organisations including FIFA, Aspetar and the AFC’s sister confederations, covering a wide array of topics, ranging from emergency care and rehabilitation strategies to gender-specific health, anti-doping protocols, and medical services at major tournaments.

AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John, in welcoming the delegates, said: “As science and technology continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, it is our shared responsibility to harness these advancements.

“This conference reflects our unwavering commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of every athlete who represents Asia. It is a gathering aimed towards supporting our medical professionals as it is they who ensure that our players can perform at their best, recover under the highest standards of care, and return to the pitch safely.”

YB Hannah Yeoh said: “It is a privilege and honour to attend the 8th AFC Medical Conference in Kuala Lumpur, and this conference is truly a testament to the AFC’s commitment not just to the beautiful game, but to the science, care, and well-being that sustain it.

“I hope that the exchange of ideas over the next few days will lead to stronger networks, better practices, and a more unified approach to athlete health across Asia and beyond.”

Among the many highlights of the opening day was Dr. Massey’s insightful keynote address on the evolving landscape of sports medicine, whereas Dr Peiter D’Hooghe, Chief Medical Officer at Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, provided an intriguing glimpse into the role of artificial intelligence in injury prevention and athlete care.

Additionally, the upcoming days have several more compelling presentations in store, including the evolving medical considerations for female footballers by FIFA Senior Technical Development Manager Belinda Wilson, as well as President of the Medical Council of the Catalan Football Federation, Dr. Ramon Cugat’s presentation on biological mechanisms in sports medicine.

Meanwhile, the 4th AFC Medical Awards will be held in conjunction with the conference on Thursday to recognise and celebrate the contributions of the medical community toward elevating Asian football.

To stay updated on the latest details on the 8th AFC Medical Conference, please visit www.afcmedicalconference.org.