A timely status summation of the keystone AFC Elite-Youth Scheme was provided by AFC Deputy Technical Direct Takeshi Ono, who noted that there are currently 27 AFC Member Associations that are endorsed: 12 at the 1-Star level, seven at the 2-Star level and eight at the 3-Star level.

 

Expressing his gratitude for the various MAs’ collaboration with the assessment visits by the panel members, Ono added that nine more evaluations are pending – including from two new applicants, namely Cambodia and Laos. Furthermore, the panel recommended the approval for the 1-Star renewal of the Myanmar Football Federation Academy Yangon – Mandalay. Altogether, the Elite-Youth Scheme is on track to attain 30 members in 2025.

 

AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh stressed the benefits of the Elite-Youth Scheme and urged the remaining 18 MAs that are yet to apply to strongly consider doing so, saying: “We have set out all these criteria which, if they can be achieved, will definitely make a difference to youth development for all MAs.”

 

These include improving the playing standards, aiding in the fulfilment of current top-tier club licensing requirements and receiving bilateral support from the AFC, while it was also noted that the achievements of the MAs can be recognised through relevant awards and that the Elite Youth Scheme membership status often helps with securing sponsorship and governmental support.

 

Roxburgh also laid out the Elite-Youth development priorities for 2026/27, which comprise increased support for MAs in participating with the annual AFC youth competitions, increasing the Elite-Youth Scheme membership, providing more direct support and information to club academies, researching and promoting club academy competitions, and increasing the number of MAs delivering the AFC Elite-Youth Diplomas (A & B).

 

The panel heard about the AFC Survey Report on Youth and Grassroots Football Among Member Associations in Asia, which witnessed the participation of 42 MAs and has now been finalised. The findings, drawn from various youth football competitions and grassroots football programmes, will be used as a basis for future discussions and to support continuous development.

 

Nominations from the MAs have also been received for the AFC Special Elite Youth Football Awards 2025, which will be presented at the AFC Youth Conference in November.

 

In closing, Technical Director Roxburgh reaffirmed the AFC’s commitment to creating pathways of excellence for the Continent’s future starts, saying: “Our ultimate priority is to make sure that there is a big investment in elite youth football and that we constantly try to improve the level of football on the Asian continent.”