Commenting on this participation, Al-Salem said, according to the West Asian Football Federation website: The conference represented a valuable opportunity to meet all football leaders in Asia and exchange knowledge and expertise, which enhances cooperation between national and regional associations and gives the game greater momentum towards development and elevating its status at all levels.
He added: The presence of such a large number of decision-makers under one roof opened the way for in-depth discussions about the future of Asian football and allowed us to benefit from the diverse experiences that enrich institutional work.
He emphasized: Focusing on themes such as women's football, referee development, and artificial intelligence reflects the AFC's vision in keeping pace with global developments and enhances the role of football as a tool for positive social impact.
According to statements reported by the AFC website, the Acting General Secretary of the Jordan Football Association, Farah Al-Badarna, affirmed during her participation in the conference the importance of exchanging expertise and experiences among Asian national associations, which contributes to developing the football ecosystem and enhancing the capabilities of sports leaders to face challenges and achieve common goals.
Al-Badarna said that the discussions witnessed at the conference reflected the similarity of challenges and ambitions among the associations, despite their different environments and experiences, noting that exchanging experiences and benefiting from the expertise of sports leaders across the continent constitute an opportunity to enhance cooperation and develop institutional work in Asian football.
The conference, which is being held for the fourth time and hosted by Japan for the first time, discussed ways to enhance leadership capabilities, develop governance, and exchange best practices, in addition to employing innovation and technology in developing football management.
The first day's sessions addressed topics of sports leadership, innovation, and technological development, applications of artificial intelligence in supporting strategic planning and increasing institutional efficiency, as well as the use of technology in monitoring suspicious activities and combating match-fixing.
The conference will continue its work with sessions addressing women's football, referee development, artificial intelligence applications, the role of football in achieving social goals, competition strategies, and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.
