The SAFF signs MoU with the AFC to cooperate on educational programs

2025-05-02
22:47:34

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday, on the sidelines of Jeddah's hosting of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals.
The MoU was signed by the SAFF Secretary General, Ibrahim Al-Qassim, and his AFC counterpart, Datuk Seri Windsor, to cooperate in the field of educational programs through the AFC Academic Centre of Excellence.
The MoU aims to contribute to the AFC's training programs in supporting the development of the Saudi Arabian football system, enhancing the Kingdom's preparations to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
This collaboration will see a partnership between the SAFF Research Institute and the AFC to enhance research efforts on projects aimed at adding qualitative value to the Asian football family, exchanging real-world data, and analyzing trends in the Asian game.
For his part, the SAFF Secretary General, Ibrahim Al-Qassim, said: "We are proud to announce the signing of the MoU, which represents an important opportunity for learning, growth, and contributing to the development of the game."
Al-Qassim added that this memorandum coincides with the Kingdom's journey to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, stressing that providing educational initiatives for the Saudi football family is essential to ensuring the Kingdom's full readiness to fulfill its development commitments while hosting the largest football tournament. He expressed his aspiration for the participation of as many football officials as possible in these programs.
For his part, the AFC General Secretary, Datuk Seri Windsor John, said: "This MoU highlights one of the AFC's key missions across the continent: providing the tools and support to our members to help them develop their human capital to the highest possible standards to manage the ever-complex football industry."
The AFC General Secretary praised the collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in developing educational and research initiatives together, ensuring the maintenance and development of the highest standards of football operations and management over time.
This MoU is part of the educational initiatives launched by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.