DILI (19 June 2011) – The AFC Medical Committee’s first meeting for the 2011-2015 term was held this week under the chairmanship of Malaysia’s Dato’ Dr Gurucharan Singh.
The committee decided that all new registered players for the AFC U-16 Championship be subject to MRI scanning at an AFC accredited MRI Centre, under the supervision of an independent AFC Medical Officer 45 days prior to the competition.
A complete fusion of the radial bone growth plate, which is proof that a player is over 16 years of age, will render the player ineligible to participate in the tournament. The cost of the MRI, however, will be borne by the respective Member Associations.
In his opening remarks, Dr Gurcharan Singh reminded the members of the challenges ahead.
“We have great challenges ahead but you must always be mindful that we are doctors and our actions must be strictly professional,” he said. “In doping, we have new challenges but the medical community is coping and finding solutions to these problems.”
AFC Senior Vice President Zhang Jilong asked the members to ensure the health of players on the field of play.
“Your contribution to Asian football is vital. Let’s think how to organise Asian football in a strong manner for all our 46 Member Associations,” he said. “During these four years of your term, we have to do a lot and it can be achieved only by working very closely.”
The members also identified MRI facilities near the venues of the 2012 AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers and approved a review panel for the AFC President Travelling Fellow for Football Medicine and its timeline. It was also decided to make it mandatory for all the participating MAs to send a doctor and/or physiotherapist for the AFC Festival of Football and to attend the Medicine Seminar.
The members also discussed the eligibility of players for the AFC U-16 Championship for age determination, fifth edition of the AFC Conference on Science and Football Medicine, and Football for Health Education Programme for children.
The decisions of this committee need to be ratified by the AFC Executive Committee to take effect.
