The next meeting of the AFFA Executive Committee was held at the SOCAR administrative building.
elchi reports that at the beginning of the meeting, AFFA President Rovshan Najaf provided information on the items on the agenda.
Subsequently, AFFA Secretary General Jahangir Farajullayev provided a general overview of the first World Cup and festival for boys’ U-15 football teams, which will be held in Azerbaijan this year in accordance with FIFA’s decision.
The results of the 2025/2026 season in domestic football were also discussed at the meeting. The members of the Executive Committee shared their views on the organization, the quality of the competitions, and the general directions of development throughout the season.
During the meeting, the new Technical Director of AFFA, Edmond Klaus, was introduced. It was noted that he possesses extensive experience in youth development, academy building and management, education and methodology, as well as scouting. In particular, it was emphasized that his work at the Ajax academy in the Netherlands, as well as his experience with various age-group national teams in the Netherlands and China, would contribute to his work in Azerbaijan.
AFFA Deputy Secretary General Elchin Mammadov provided information on the activities of the newly created Football Development Department and the certification rules for academies based on the 5-star model. An exchange of views took place regarding the rules to be applied from the next season.
Following this, Jahangir Farajullayev presented a new approach regarding the rules of use and control mechanism for financial assistance allocated to Misli Premier League clubs for the development of children’s and youth football based on grant agreements. The matter, which was put to a vote, was adopted by the Executive Committee.
Furthermore, the new format proposed for the Elite Coaching project was discussed at the meeting. Based on the remarks of the Executive Committee members, instructions were given to improve the project.