Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE) celebrates its first anniversary today by registering steady growth, setting numerous milestones and launching the careers of hundreds of future leaders in Asian football.
The virtual education initiative was unveiled 12 months ago by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) with two main programmes – the AFC Football Management Certificate (FMC) introduced in October 2021 and the AFC Football Management Diploma (FMD) a month later.
To date, ACE has organised six editions of both online programmes with 173 students and more than 1,400 hours of learning. It has seen enrolment increase from programme to programme and steadily racked up one achievement after another.
The ACE aims at developing skillsets in key areas of football management, inculcating industry knowledge and strengthening capabilities to plan, execute and monitor daily operations. It is anchored in the core values of excellence, innovation and passion for football education, as well as creating future leaders and leadership by example.
In his congratulatory message, AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: “In just one year, we have witnessed immense growth and have welcomed six batches of the Football Management Certificate and Football Management Diploma programmes. We have also celebrated achievements of two editions of Football Management Certificate graduates – alumni who now have the ability and proper education to make a difference in their Member or Regional Associations.
“We are beginning to see encouraging results from when we launched but it is our goal to produce even more talented graduates who will ultimately contribute to the development of Asian football.”
He added that a number of programme graduates had been extended internship opportunities and positions within the AFC while others have been promoted by their respective MAs and RAs for their outstanding performance.
The FMC, which offers nine core modules over five months, targets aspiring leaders looking to contribute to Asian football’s development and raise its standards. The FMD features 12 modules spanning 13 months and caters to specific management levels of the AFC’s MAs, RAs and independent stakeholders.
Both programmes are in partnership with the AFC’s academic partner – Switzerland’s renowned Football Business Academy (FBA), and underline the AFC’s commitment to develop, strengthen and benefit the capabilities of MAs, RAs and the Continent’s football community.