Bringing the various components of football and sharing of expertise and experiences on a common professional platform is yet another right step forward towards the development of the sport. Football due to its worldwide popularity and the high level of play puts enormous complex demands on care of players as well as organizational framework of the sport. Organization and preparation for football events often stretches multiple resources such as financial, medical, training technical to name a few. Access to sound evidence based medical services, the practice of interventional injury prevention programs and its implementation, the technical support and appropriate coaching environment are some of the challenges faced by teams in Asia.

It is important to understand each other related areas of football in order to best adjust, contribute and cooperate for a common goal as a professional team. It needs a multi-disciplinary approach, team work and trust in each other that brings about positive outcomes. Hence, wining the hearts and minds of team members is essential for its success.

The sport of football is confronted with various political, geographical, scientific and managerial challenges. Lack of scientific data on playing football at high altitudes, environmental pollution, age determination, confounding gender verification procedures, travelling across several time zones and its effects on performance, tight football schedules, governmental interferences, racial and match fixing as well as organized doping operations needs to be addressed and come up with fruitful solutions or directions.

I sincerely hope that this Congress will make some inroads into unchartered areas through scientific cooperation and research. Hope participants will share their expertise, increase their international network of experts and enjoy the great hospitality of the Iranian People.

Best regards and a successful Congress

Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Chairman, AFC Medical Committee.