TOKYO–The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has brought two regional football association (RFA) presidents to the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations and Regional Associations Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference in Tokyo, Japan, giving them exposure to Asia’s football leaders and to current thinking in football administration.
Eastern Visayas RFA President Harvey German and Iligan-Lanao RFA President Consorcio Manreza are part of the Philippine delegation. They are with PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez, General Secretary Gelix Mercader, and FIFA Council Member Mariano V. Araneta.
“RFA leaders gain valuable experience in international football events that flow back to their regions. They get to meet their counterparts, they get to understand how other Federations work, and how AFC and FIFA govern football. As they run their leagues, grow the clubs and bring the game to communities across the country, they apply their learnings locally,” said Gutierrez.
The conference, now in its fourth edition and held in Japan for the first time, brings together about 120 football leaders from across Asia. It covers both member associations and regional associations, and focuses on leadership, governance, and innovation.
Photo from AFC
The first day began with a presentation by the Japan Football Association on how it has sustained success at every level of the game. Other sessions covered how match-fixing is changing and how technology helps detect it, a panel on what it takes to lead in Asian football today, and how artificial intelligence (AI) can support planning and operations in football organizations.
The second day, on October 22, covers women’s football, referee development, practical uses of AI, football’s contribution to broader social goals and competition strategy.
An AFC Extraordinary Congress, which according to AFC will emphasize on continental unity, follows on Friday.
Mercader said PFF wants its regional leaders to take part in these discussions directly.
“Topics like integrity, referee development, women’s football, and technological advancement matter at every level, including the regions. Our RFA presidents are the ones who put these ideas into practice at home. We want them to hear from AFC and from their counterparts in other countries, so they can compare notes and bring ideas back to their associations,” he said.
PFF has made the growth of its RFAs part of its development agenda. Exposure at the continental level gives their leaders contacts and ideas that can help them plan competitions, coaching and referee programs, and women’s and youth football in their areas.
