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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and AFC Medical Center of Excellence Hospital – Aspetar conducted an informative and comprehensive Team Medical Workshop in preparation for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.
During the two-day workshop, AFC Medical Committee Chairperson Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh provided insights on medical preparations and regulations for team doctors prior to their arrival and commitments upon arrival during the competition.
The LOC Senior Medical Manager, Dr Hamed Gharib, provided an overview of the emergency medical facilities, similar to what had been provided during the immensely successful FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It was noted that both the Hamad Hospital and Aspetar are at the disposal of the participating teams.
Dr Abdulaziz Jaham Alkuwari, Aspetar’s Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the participants and said: “Your presence here reflects not only your commitment to the world of sports medicine but also your dedication to the well-being of athletes, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.
“There have been meaningful discussions, fruitful knowledge-sharing and vital networking opportunities at this Workshop and I am certain that together, we can raise the bar for sports medicine in Asia, and in doing so, contribute collectively to the success of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023”.
A physical hands-on emergency medical workshop on the field of play was conducted at Aspetar by Dr. Celeste Geertsema and Dr. Peter Dzendrowskyj in accordance with the FIFA protocol – FIFA Emergency Action Plan, which received wide-spread appreciation from the participants.
Dato’ Gurcharan Singh mentioned that AFC has approved Dental Screening of players to be conducted prior to the commencement of the tournament. Screening shall be conducted both by questionnaire and physical examination at the Dental Clinic in Aspetar, making the AFC the first Confederation to conduct screening of football players.
Additionally, the Director of Sports Dentistry, Aspetar, Dr. Mohammed Alsaey, touched on pitch oral and dental injuries and emergency care on field of play during matches.
Moreover, Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh reminded that AFC has approved the use of paperless anti-doping forms and “Dried Blood Spot” (DBS) during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, and also highlighted changes in the WADA List of Banned Substances & Methods which will be effective from January 2024.
In closing, he called for full cooperation from the team doctors, reminding them that the AFC Medical Office together with the LOC Medical Support Team will be available to render assistance throughout the tournament.
