TIMES REPORT
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Development Committee has approved comprehensive revisions to the AFC Enhance Programme Regulations during its fourth meeting, held virtually under the chairmanship of Yasser H. Almisehal.
The revisions aim to provide greater flexibility and tailor-made support to AFC Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs). The Committee approved changes allowing Beneficiary Regional Associations to transfer the existing USD 90,000 Corner allocation to Backroom, subject to applicable conditions and the overall funding cap.
The Committee also approved greater flexibility regarding unclaimed funds and unutilised balances, allowing them to be carried forward for eligible activities in the following year, subject to regulations and AFC approval. Minimum coaching qualification requirements under the Advantage programme were also updated in line with the AFC Competitions Operations Manual 2026.
The Committee authorised waivers for six MAs facing governance transitions and approved Enhance Programme applications from four additional MAs.
It also reviewed the impact of the 2026 Enhance Programme, under which USD 2.12 million was distributed to 14 MAs through Kick-Off, Pass and Volley. Another USD 2.07 million was allocated to 14 MAs under Advantage, while more than USD 1 million was distributed across all five RAs.
Twenty stadium projects have also been approved under the 2025–2028 Enhance Programme, with USD 2.51 million already disbursed.
The Committee further reviewed progress under the AFC League Development Programme and AFC Equal Pitch Programme and welcomed the expansion of educational courses offered through the AFC Academic Centre of Excellence.
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