On 13-14th November Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine hospital will present the 1st Asian and European Champions League football Team Doctors Workshop. The summit is believed to be the first of its kind involving both UEFA and AFC groups. In attendance will be over 30 football doctors of renowned clubs in Europe and Asia. These will include Juventus, Liverpool, Chelsea, Dortmund, and Atletico Madrid from Europe and Kashima Antlers, Al Ain, Al Ittihad, Shanghai, and Persepolis from Asia.

Dr Michel D’Hooghe, Chair of the FIFA Medical Committee, and Dr Singh, Chair of the AFC Sports Medicine Department will also be in attendance.

Dr Abulaziz Al Kuwari, Aspetar CEO, said:

“Aspetar is committed to share knowledge and experience with their partners in the football sector, and the idea behind organizing this workshop is to create a platform which through we can strengthen the role of Sports Medicine and maintain a constant communication with teams doctors’ aiming that outcomes will primarily serve the elite footballers”.

The two-day event will feature tools and techniques designed to treat a range of issues that directly affect player safety and care. 

A broad range of topics will also be addressed on the difficulties, challenges and opportunities faced when contributing to improving medical outcomes in football clubs.

Prof Jan Ekstrand, Aspetar Chief Medical officer, said:

“We have had similar meetings at UEFA for European teams for 20 years, I’ve been together with my research group leading the UEFA injury study for 20 years, we trust with European team doctors to share the experience and knowledge and it’s a successful concept in Europe. We would like to copy the concept here and invite the Asian Champions League team doctors as well, as there are only two confederations under FIFA conducting a study regarding injury, one is Europe which I’m leading and the second is Asia led by Aspetar. In fact, both studies are led by Aspetar, so it’s building the bridge between two continents.”

In 2016, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and ASPETAR launched a pilot study that systematically investigated injuries and illnesses during the final rounds of the AFC Champions League.

By organising the summit, Aspetar aims to share knowledge and experiences through its world leading studies. It also provides an opportunity for world respected football team doctors to visit Qatar as the host country of the World Cup 2022.