Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Youth Panel concluded its fourth meeting in the Malaysian capital on Monday.
The panel - which is overseen by the AFC Technical Committee and AFC General Secretary - is tasked with supporting the promotion and development of Elite Youth Football in Asia as well as designing and implementing the AFC Elite Youth Scheme.
Topics discussed in the meeting included educating elite young players as well as taking care of professional leagues and academies in order to improve the quality of football across all age groups.
AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh, who led the panel, said: "It's imperative that AFC promotes Elite Youth Football through a structured programme and cooperation with AFC Member Associations (MAs), AFC hopes to develop Elite Youth Football - boys and girls because they are the future of the game."
The panel committee deliberated on the regulations and specific criterias for the Elite Youth Scheme, which will be launched by the end of the year.
Fully aware that competition drives development in football, the MAs have been working closely with the panel to further promote and develop the game.
The development of young players tomorrow is more important than today, and the Youth Panel is building a pathway for talent development.
Eric Abrams, Technical Director of Football Federation Australia said: "The incentive of the AFC Elite Youth Scheme is a fantastic process to get youth player development in the focus of the clubs and it is great promotion for clubs in the AFC continent to create a better and a more quality environment for our young players through the ranks.
"And if the Elite Youth Scheme is taken seriously by every AFC MAs, in the long run Asia will have great benefits from it in international football."
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com