RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has achieved the highest Asian ranking in the talent development pathway, moving from the second level to the highest level in the classification following a comprehensive assessment of SAFF’s youth development work by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
SAFF’s work, represented by its Technical Department, was assessed across several areas, most notably youth competitions, coach development programs, private academies, regional training centres, and talent discovery and development programs.
An AFC delegation conducted an assessment visit to the Saudi Football Federation in June, during which it reviewed various projects and programs, along with supporting documents, as part of the assessment procedures for the youth development pathway.
Van Gaan, a member of the AFC Youth Development Committee, praised the significant progress in youth programmes and the adopted strategy, noting the achievements and stressing the importance of maintaining this approach for talent identification, development, and coach training.
Saudi Football Federation Secretary-General Majid bin Ali Al Sahib said that attaining the highest Asian ranking “reflects the federation’s continuous efforts in youth development over recent years, including improvements in competitions, coach training, and the expansion of talent discovery programs and academies.”
Al Sahib also commended the previous board of directors for its initiatives in youth development, emphasising that these efforts were pivotal in achieving this ranking and affirming the commitment to building on this progress to further advance Saudi football.
