- The quadrennial competition is organised by the AFC to determine which national teams from Asia qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament
- Three cities across the AFC region played host to three groups in the second round
- Opportunity to receive feedback on national team conditions, ongoing qualifiers and more
FIFPRO delegations were on the ground visiting unions and national team players during the second round of the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The quadrennial competition is organised by the Asian Football Confederation to determine which national teams from Asia qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Three cities across the AFC region played host to three groups: Perth, Australia; Xiamen, China PR; and Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Union & Player Services Manager Benjamin van den Broek and Player & Union Relations Manager Shoko Tsuji met with players and Kyrgyz union representatives Aidana Otorbaeva and Rustam Dzhanybaev in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. They then travelled to Uzbekistan to meet internationals taking part in Olympic qualifying, as well as union representatives Kamoliddin Murzoev, Timur Nazirov and Makhliyo Sarikova.
They received feedback from players about the conditions of their national team, domestic league, and the ongoing qualifiers. FIFPRO Deputy General Secretary Simon Colosimo and Union & Player Relations Coordinator Isabella Echeverri were doing the same with teams competing in Perth.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to the unions of Australia, Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan for their hospitality during the qualifiers," said Colosimo. "A lot of quality time was spent with them to understand their vision, so that we can all further advance the rights of players in the region.
"Hearing first-hand feedback from the players, too, is always incredibly helpful so that we can cater to their needs.”
The final round of the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament kicks off in February 2024, featuring the second-round group winners (Australia, Korea DPR and Japan) and best group runners-up (Uzbekistan). The two third round winners will qualify as AFC’s representatives for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament at Paris 2024.
