The 5th AFC Medical Conference

The worldwide popularity of Football has a direct influence on the communities that captivates the heart and minds of all, cutting across religious, cultural, political, economic and geographical borders. Approximately, thirty percent of the of the world population are directly or indirectly related to Football, thus making it the most popular sport in the World. With its rapid development it impacts the world around it. Hence, it has found in roads as well as encouraged scientific research into sports science, technology and medicine. This will impact the way medical professionals and sports officials approach to provide, protect and enhance the performance as well as the health of players. Care of players is complex and demanding and will require optimum medical and science knowledge to effectively discharge this responsibility that may have an influence on the bread and butter of players. Hence, the need to keep abreast with modern scientific knowledge and changing demands of the sport.

AFC is concerned and views education as an important tool in the development of Football. AFC recognises the important role of Science and Medicine in the development of the sport and care of players. Hence, AFC fully supports, encourages and host the AFC Medical Conference held every four years. This high level conference brings together worldwide experts with international recognition in their respective specialities to share and enhance scientific medical knowledge among the fraternity. Since its inception in 1995, Tokyo, Japan the conference attendance and level of research expertise has grown in leaps and bounds. FIFA, F-MARC and sister Confederations, Olympic movement and international sports and medical bodies have fully supported the past conferences held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2000), Muscat, Oman (2005) and Kuala Lumpur (2011)

The 5th AFC Medical Conference will be held in India, April 2-4, 2015 at JW Marriott Hotel, Aero city, New Delhi. Pre-conference workshops in anti-doping, two day team physician workshops, rehabilitation workshops, FIFA 11+ instructor course and live orthopaedic procedure in cartilage repair are some of the highlights in store for the 1000 plus participants. The conference program will provide keynote address, lectures, symposiums, free papers, poster presentations and clinical demonstrations. Areas of contention such as stem cell application to muscle tissue/ cartilage repair, age and sex determination, new insights into pathophysiology of injuries, use and abuse of modern medicine, prevention of emergencies and injuries, sudden cardiac death, anti-doping – biological passports and steroid profiling, football for health – a preventive tool and a host of other medical issues that confront the medical practitioner in sports will be addressed during the conference.

In addition, pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers, health care providers, fitness and sports equipment manufacturers and many others related to football, science and medicine will be on hand at the various booths during the conference as partners.

India has a rich diverse cultural and historical background dating back to early civilisation. In addition, India has provided the world with early foundation in science and technology. Participants will certainly be exposed to the best of Indian traditions, cultures, cuisines, historical monuments and above all create new professional network and rekindle old friendships. Welcome to New Delhi in 2015 – a valued “low cost high output” medical activity that you cannot afford to miss.