January 20 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched a new Club Management Programme as it looks to improve leadership and governance standards across the continent’s professional game.
The first cohort consists of 40 participants from senior and emerging positions within clubs and football organisations around the region. The course will run for nine months and be delivered entirely online, with a focus on the practical realities of running a modern football club rather than abstract theory.
The AFC says the programme is designed to address day-to-day challenges facing clubs, from governance structures and financial sustainability to managing relationships with owners, leagues and supporters. Teaching will blend academic input with real-world case studies and practitioner experience, with participants expected to apply what they learn through project work during the programme.
AFC Deputy General Secretary for Member Associations Vahid Kardany said the focus on clubs was deliberate. “Clubs are the lifeblood of football. It is where passion is ignited, talent is nurtured and the future of the game is shaped,” he said. “Strong clubs require effective leadership, sound governance and a clear vision for sustainable growth. These are the attributes the ACMP is designed to strengthen.”
He added that the confederation sees the programme as a long-term investment. “By investing in your development through the ACMP, the AFC is confident that you will be able to bring about an enduring and positive impact on the Asian game, and help our clubs and Member Associations stay at the forefront of football.”
Participants were nominated by AFC Member Associations, Regional Associations, leagues and clubs, with candidates coming from roles such as presidents, board directors, chief executives, general secretaries and department heads. The cohort also includes independent applicants who are graduates of other AFC education pathways, including the Football Management Certificate and Diploma, the Certificate in Football Leadership and the Empowering Women in Football Programme.
The ACMP consists of 10 modules covering the full lifecycle of a football club, from governance and ownership structures to commercial growth and community engagement. Topics include financial governance, income generation, high-performance operations, digital innovation, brand management and social responsibility.
Each module is delivered through a series of live online sessions, reflecting the AFC’s push to make executive education more accessible across a geographically large confederation. The programme sits under the AFC’s Academic Centre of Excellence and is expected to become a recurring feature of its club development strategy.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1768910854labto1768910854ofdlr1768910854owedi1768910854sni@g1768910854niwe.1768910854yrrah1768910854
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