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AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has extended his condolences to the family and loved ones of former AFC Medical Committee Chairperson Professor Dr. Nozomu Ohata, as well as to the Japan Football Association (JFA). Dr. Ohata passed away last week at the age of 94.
A member of the AFC Medical Committee from 1979 to 2022, Dr. Ohata served as the Committee’s Chairperson for nearly twenty years, and also lent his expertise to the FIFA Sports Medicine Committee.
He was the Japanese national team’s first ever team doctor, a role he dedicated himself to for close to a decade, and also introduced doping control measures in the domestic league in Japan.
On his passing, Shaikh Salman said: “I am truly saddened by the news of Dr. Ohata’s passing. On behalf of the entire AFC family, my deepest sympathies are with the friends, families and everyone who knew Dr. Ohata.
“He dedicated a significant portion of his life to improving the landscape of sports medicine and its various aspects not just in Japan or Asia, but also worldwide.
“He has rightfully been known as the “Father of Asian Sports Medicine” and has paved the way for future generations to excel and I have no doubt that through his remarkable contributions, his legacy will continue to live.”
Twice honoured with the prestigious AFC Distinguished Service Award in 1992 and 2002, Dr. Ohata supervised medical administration and doping control measures at five editions of the FIFA World Cup and also spearheaded the establishment of various medical seminars, notably the Asian Conference of Science and Football Medicine.
The thoughts and prayers of the AFC and the rest of the Asian football community are with the loved ones and friends of Professor Dr. Nozomu Ohata, the JFA and the Japanese football community during this difficult time.
