SAFF will host the 29th edition of the AFC Awards in Riyadh

2025-09-25
14:31:55

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation will host the 29th edition of the AFC Awards in Riyadh on October 16, 2025, adding another major sporting occasion to the Kingdom’s growing calendar of international events.

For the first time, the ceremony will be staged at King Fahad Cultural Center, where 20 winners will be recognised across multiple categories. These include AFC Member Association of the Year, AFC Player of the Year and AFC Coach of the Year, along with other individual and collective honours celebrating the achievements of Asia’s leading footballers and officials.

On Thursday, the Asian Football Confederation announced the final shortlist for the AFC Member Association of the Year, with SAFF in the Platinum category alongside IR Iran and Japan, as well as for the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football (Gold). The AFC also confirmed the final shortlist for the AFC Player of the Year and AFC Youth Player of the Year awards, featuring Saudi Arabia captain and Al Hilal forward Salem Al-Dawsari, and Al Ittihad goalkeeper Hamed Yousef.

The awards ceremony will be preceded on October 15 by the inaugural AFC Dream Asia Foundation Conference, which will highlight initiatives by Asian Member Associations in supporting communities and promoting sporting values, reaffirming their commitment to social responsibility.

From October 17 to 19, Riyadh will also host AFC Member Associations and Regional Associations Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference, which will address key topics related to football strategy and development across the continent.

SAFF President Yasser Almisehal expressed his pride in hosting the event, made possible by the unlimited support of the Kingdom’s leadership for the sports sector and the close attention of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport, whose efforts ensure that Saudi Arabia is fully equipped to host events of such international stature.

Almisehal emphasised that SAFF’s two nominations, combined with the recognition of Al-Dawsari and Yousef in the individual player categories, reflect the significant support and progress of Saudi football, the development of national talent, technical programs and the strong cooperation with clubs.

He added that hosting the event represents an important step in strengthening ties between SAFF and the AFC, while reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination for major sporting occasions. He welcomed all guests to Riyadh and wished them success.

Last year, SAFF received the AFC President's Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution at the 28th edition of the ceremony, held in Seoul, Korea Republic.