Kuala Lumpur: AFC witnessed a major milestone in its quest to provide high-level healthcare services to football players in Asia by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with three Centres of Sports Medicine Excellence at AFC House on Tuesday thus launching the AFC President’s Travelling Fellowship Programme for Football Medicine.
Dato’ Alex Soosay, the AFC General Secretary, expressed special appreciation for the support and professional collaboration of the Centres of Excellence, namely Aspetar – Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha; the National Institute of Sports Malaysia (ISN), Kuala Lumpur and Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
He said: “We are proud that our Medical Committee is working hard to bring about improvement in this aspect of football. This travelling fellowship is really a good concept and AFC will continue giving support to the development of football medicine and sports science.”
Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh, the Chairman of the AFC Medical Committee who mooted the idea two years ago, was happy to see it become reality.
He said: “It is a step in the right direction to update knowledge, share expertise and bridge the gap especially among developing countries.
“Credit must go to AFC and members of the AFC Medical Committee for their vision and confidence in the programme. The partnership between AFC and the sports medicine centres will grow from strength to strength for mutual benefits through the exchange of scientific knowledge.”
Dr. Tohid S. Barghi (Iran), Dr. Mohd Zaidi Salleh (Malaysia), Dr. Abeer Mohd Ali Al-Macki (Oman) and physiotherapist Tanaqon Sayanant (Thailand) have been selected for the first batch of the AFC President’s Travelling Fellowship Programme.
They will be attached to each sports medicine centre for a week and finally return to their countries after attending the AFC Elite Football Medicine Seminar, an annual event held in Kuala Lumpur.
The total duration of the travelling tour is four weeks (January 15 – February 10, 2012).
The signatories to the MoA have expressed appreciation for the programme and hailed AFC for the initiative.
Dato’ Dr. Ramlan Abd. Aziz, the CEO of ISN, said: “This is an innovative approach to developing the capability of Asian football doctors. With 15 years’ experience as a team doctor for the national hockey team, I’m familiar with the challenges that the fellowship programme wants to address.”
Dr. Bavornrat Vanadurogwang of Mahidol University said: “Mahidol University is so proud and honoured to be part of this international programme and believes it has the potential to contribute to this programme.”
Dr. Mohd G.A. Maadheed, the Director-General of Aspetar, said: “Yes, this programme is the first of its kind and the AFC Medical Committee is to be commended for having developed the Fellowship Programme.
“Aspetar is one of the best centres dedicated to sports and to helping athletes reach their maximum potential. Aspetar is open to all sports and all athletes from around the world, so we are sure that we will be able to share knowledge and experience with the travelling fellows. We are happy to have them.”
Tuesday, 22 November 2011 19:56 - http://www.the-afc.com
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