Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital has been awarded a top honour by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in recognition of its pivotal role in the 8th AFC Medical Conference, which concluded this week. The accolade was presented to Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of Aspetar, during the closing ceremony of the region’s flagship medical event.
The award recognises Aspetar’s contribution as the principal scientific partner for the conference, which brought together hundreds of medical professionals, researchers, and sports medicine specialists from across Asia and beyond.
Held over three days, the conference featured 54 lectures and sessions, in addition to 13 intensive workshops covering a wide range of disciplines including injury prevention, emergency on-field care, women’s sports, and medical challenges in hot climates.
Dr. Al-Kuwari expressed deep pride in the recognition, saying: “We take great pride in our foundational role in the advancement of sports medicine not only across Asia but globally. Today’s honour epitomises Aspetar’s stature as a preeminent and influential institution within scientific, medical, and sports communities.”
He highlighted Aspetar’s holistic contribution to the event, with more than 20 of its experts delivering scientific presentations and sharing cutting-edge research.
Among them, Dr. Khalid Al-Khelaifi was presented with the prestigious Medical Excellence Award, while Dr. Mohammed Al-Saey led the issuance of the AFC’s first specialised guideline on sports dentistry — a landmark publication that places Qatar’s medical leadership on the regional map.
One of the key sessions focused on Aspetar’s approach to using artificial intelligence in medical imaging. Other presentations reviewed successful strategies used during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, where Aspetar delivered comprehensive medical services to athletes and staff — an effort now seen as a benchmark for future sporting events.
The conference also featured discussions on women’s participation in football and the physiological challenges they face, particularly in hot climates. Aspetar researchers presented data collected from the Qatar Stars League and demonstrated how these findings are being adapted for broader use across Asian competitions.
In addition to FIFA, which was also honoured at the conference, Aspetar’s recognition affirms its growing influence as a strategic partner not only within the AFC but in the broader international sports medical landscape.
This year’s edition of the AFC Medical Conference, which has become a biennial event since its last edition in Doha, is scheduled to reconvene in 2027.
As the curtains close on this year’s gathering, Aspetar’s contributions stand as a testament to the crucial role sports medicine plays in modern football — a field where science, technology, and elite performance converge.
