The AFC Football Emergency Medicine and Anti-Doping Regional Course for East Asia and ASEAN region concluded last Friday 3 November 2017 at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City in Taguig.
The four-day course, which saw a total of 68 participants from East Asia and South East Asia, was aimed to raise the standards of football medicine and to increase the number of doctors and medical practitioners in football medicine.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President, FIFA Council Member, and AFC Executive Committee Member Mariano V. Araneta hailed the success of the four-day course.
“The past four days of the AFC Football Emergency Medicine & Anti-Doping Regional Course has been greatly beneficial for everyone,” said Araneta. ”We hope that you, our participants for this workshop, were able to learn much from this course and that you will share the knowledge to your colleagues once you return to your countries and clubs. This is not only to raise the standards of football medicine in your respective clubs or countries, but to also for you to make your mark in Asia through the beautiful game.”
During the course, the participants were introduced to the latest developments in football medicine by the lectures led by FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Tournament Medical Officer Prof. Efraim Kramer.
“(Prof. Kramer’s) wisdom and knowledge in dealing with emergencies has been an eye-opener for everyone,” added Araneta.
Kramer was followed by the faculty of doctors which conducted several workshops in dealing with injuries and anti-doping procedures.
AFC Medical Committee Chairman Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh noted in his closing remarks that the participants are among the best, and is already eager to see everyone again in the next course in the coming years.
“The participants here are one of the best lots. Knowledge is power and the only way to win the hearts and minds of administrators is through knowledge,” said Singh. “A player should get the same treatment whether in Manila or Oman. They should not be any discrepancies when it comes to treating a player who is in need of medical assistance.”
Araneta also thanked St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City Medical Director, Dr. Arturo Dela Peña following the hosting of the regional course.
“(St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City) has been a gracious host to our participants and the staff of both the AFC and PFF for the past four days,” said Araneta.
