AFC medical course shares valuable knowledge with key regions

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Image credit: AFC website

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has shared valuable medical knowledge with key regions, ASEAN and East, across the five-day Football Emergency Medicine and Anti-Doping Course.

Hosted by The Football Association of Thailand (FA Thailand), the course presented to 20 Member Associations (MAs), from November 23rd to the 26th.

Conducted at the BDMS Rehabilitation Centre in Bangkok, the course was led by Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh and assisted by a variety of AFC Instructors.

The course was separated into two segments. The first segment facilitated a number of theoretical sessions and lectures on the most recent developments in football emergency medicine.

While the second segment initiated a variety of active practical sessions. These sessions provided live training on the management of critical medical emergencies on and off the pitch, sessions also covered anti-doping concerns.

Additionally, BDMS Instructors for Advance Life Support trained and assured participants were proficient in on-field emergency management of cardiac arrest, concussion, trauma and other injuries.

Dato’ Dr. Singh outlined the goals of the course.

“The contents of this course is tailored to provide the latest evidence-based practices in management of emergencies on the field in line with those of FIFA,” he said via press release.

“The AFC wants to deliver a message, which is ‘unity of doctrine’ – this means that if a sudden cardiac arrest incident occurs, the medical staff will respond in a standardised protocol as implemented in accordance with the FIFA Emergency Action Plan.

“This course is part of the low-cost, high-output educational activities organised within Asia by the AFC and reinforces the AFC’s commitment in maximising the potential of our Member Associations.”

In her opening speech, Mrs Nualphan Lamsam, President of FA Thailand expressed pride for the course.

“Your presence reflects our shared commitment to advancing football across Asia. It is a privilege to host such a distinguished group whose efforts empower athletes and shape the sport’s future on the global stage,” she said via press release.

“The AFC Football Emergency Medicine & Anti-Doping Regional Course embodies the strong partnership between the AFC and FA Thailand. This initiative is designed to advance expertise in sports medicine — an indispensable aspect of football, where intensity and physicality define the game.”

The presentation was the second leg of the course, the first had been held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May, for Western MAs.

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Football Victoria partners with SportsAid for enhanced player safety

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Football Victoria (FV) has confirmed a partnership with Sports Aid, which has been named the Official Medical Partner for all FV events.

The collaboration will ensure that participants in these prominent tournaments benefit from top-tier medical support and first aid services.

Established in 2023, Sports Aid has rapidly positioned itself as a leading provider of medical and safety expertise in Australian sport. Based in Melbourne, the organisation has expanded nationwide, offering its services at a variety of events, from grassroots sports to corporate tournaments.

With over 70 partnerships across the country, Sports Aid’s team of accredited professionals—including first aid responders, sports trainers, and event safety specialists—plays a pivotal role in promoting athlete welfare and event safety.

Under the alliance, Sports Aid will deliver medical personnel, including first aid responders and sports trainers, at FV’s major competitions and events throughout Victoria.

Their on-site presence will provide immediate medical assistance for injuries or health concerns, mitigate risks associated with physical activity, and enhance overall safety for players and spectators alike.

FV’s Executive Manager – Commercial, Chris Speldewinde spoke about the role Sports Aid will play in improving Victorian football.

“Their expertise ensures the safety of our participants, which is paramount in delivering outstanding sporting experiences.” he said in a press release.

Sports Aid’s founder, James Theodorakopoulos, also commented on the partnership.

“We are thrilled to be working with Football Victoria. Our primary focus is on safety, and we’re committed to ensuring that every player and participant has a seamless medical experience at FV events,” he said in a press release.

“It’s not just about responding to injuries, but also ensuring the overall well-being of everyone involved.”

Football Victoria adds Sports Aid on top of recent PILA, VETO Sports and Novotel Preston who all play a specific role in ensuring players involved with FV get the best out of their game.

FV have been focusing heavily on developing local football with facility upgrades, equipment partnerships as well as launching their GO Family football program aimed at improving fitness and building stronger family connections.

This specific partnership with Sports Aid is another that will play a positive role in the sport across the state.

FIFA, Qatar and world organisations launch Legacy Fund

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Image credit: Shutterstock.com/Jose Breton-Pics Action

FIFA has invested $76.7 million into the World Cup 2022 Legacy Fund, in collaboration with Qatar, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Previously announced in November 2022, the fund will aid a number of social programs across the world.

To launch the Legacy Fund, the initiative was presented and signed on an online meeting.

Attendees included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi.

The FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund will be deployed across the following streams:

Public Health/Occupational Health and Safety: The Legacy Fund will contribute to programs which aim to improve working conditions, and health and wellbeing. In particular, FIFA will support WHO’s Beat the Heat initiative, to protect people from the hazards caused by extreme heat and the advance of climate change.

Education: In conjuncture with the WTO and International Trade Centre, FIFA will bolster the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund, a program which seeks to empower female entrepreneurs. 

Refugees: In partnership with the UNHCR, FIFA will assist schemes which aim to strengthen vulnerable peoples’ self-sufficiency and access to basic amenities.

Football development: FIFA will place greater emphasis on finding young talents across remote, marginalised and developing countries through the Aspire Academy and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, headed by Arsène Wenger. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his pride for the Legacy Fund.

“The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund is a landmark project that builds on the unprecedented impact of the tournament from a sustainability point of view,” he said via press release.

“FIFA is taking the concept of a legacy fund to the next level in terms of reach and impact by tackling key priorities such as refugees, occupational health, education, and football development. I would like to thank the UN Refugee Agency, the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization for their commitment to, and cooperation on, this historic initiative.”

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the importance of the partnership.

“The worlds of sport and health must collaborate to create safe, clean and healthy environments for all people engaged in the preparation, delivery and legacy of mega sport events, including workers, athletes, spectators, and communities,” he said in a press release.

To learn more about the Legacy Fund, FIFA has launched a website.

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