Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia –  Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital celebrates another milestone as Dr. Khalid Abdulrahman Yusuf Al-Khalifi, Consultant Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Surgeon at Aspetar, receives the prestigious Medical Excellence Award from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The award was presented during a ceremony held alongside the 8th AFC Medical Conference in Kuala Lumpur, attended by AFC officials, the Malaysian Minister of Youth and Sports, and leading medical experts from across the region.

This annual accolade recognizes outstanding young medical professionals under the age of 45 for their exceptional achievements in scientific research, medical service development, and the advancement of professional training programs within football medicine. First introduced at the AFC Conference in India in 2015, the award has since celebrated young medical talents in China (2019) and now Malaysia (2025), highlighting their pivotal role in supporting and advancing the sport medically and scientifically.

Dr. Al-Khalifi’s award underscores his remarkable contributions and leadership in sports medicine, affirming Qatar’s standing in the global medical community. His previous roles include Medical Director for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Director of medical committees for tournaments such as the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the AFC Youth Championship.

Mr. Khalid Ali Al-Mawlawi, Acting Director General of Aspetar, stated:

'We congratulate Dr. Khalid Al-Khelaifi on this remarkable achievement, which fills us with pride here at Aspetar. This honor underscores the leading role played by Aspetar's staff in reaching the highest ranks and achieving excellence on both regional and global stages. Dr. Al-Khelaifi's win solidifies the leadership of Qatari medical professionals on the continental and international scenes, reflecting the effort put into serving sports and medicine, and pushing us all to continue in line with the hospital's vision towards world leadership.'"

Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Al-Khalifi said:

“This honor is the result of dedicated efforts — first and foremost thanks to God, then to Aspetar for providing a perfect environment for growth and innovation, and the Qatari Football Association for its steadfast support. This achievement reflects the true brilliance of Qatari medical professionals who now compete at the highest international levels. I see this not as an endpoint but as motivation to continue advancing sports medicine, not just regionally but worldwide.”

The award also highlights Aspetar’s exceptional medical environment, which facilitates ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange through programs like the Visiting Surgeons Program led by Dr. Al-Khalifi. This program invites top international surgeons and researchers, fostering innovation and elevating the quality of sports medicine in Qatar.

Dr. Al-Khalifi’s academic credentials include a medical degree from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, orthopedic specialization from McGill University, Canada, and an advanced sports medicine fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital, affiliated with Wayne State University in the United States.

Beyond clinical practice, he serves as Vice Editor of the Aspetar Scientific Journal and is actively involved in educating future physicians at Qatar University and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. He holds fellowships with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and participates in numerous international professional associations, including the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS).

Dr. Al-Khalifi’s career has been distinguished by several prestigious awards recognizing his excellence and innovation, including the Platinum Excellence Award by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in 2008, the Qatar National Science Day Award, the “Pride of Qatar” Award in 2018, and the “Qatari Success” Award in 2019. These honors reflect his ongoing commitment to advancing sports medicine locally and internationally.