17 November 2025 I The Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) has successfully concluded its first-ever CAFA Media and Marketing Webinar 2025, bringing together media and marketing professionals from all six Member Associations for a day of knowledge-sharing, practical learning, and regional collaboration.
The webinar, conducted online, aimed to strengthen the capacity of media and marketing teams across Afghanistan, IR Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, covering key areas essential for modern football communication and commercial development.
Strengthening Digital Capacity in Central Asia
The session opened with remarks from CAFA representatives, highlighting the importance of media and marketing as interconnected pillars in today’s digital football ecosystem. Participants discussed the growing need for engaging content, audience interaction, and strong storytelling as tools for increasing visibility, promoting competitions, and enhancing commercial value.
Expert Insights from AFC
CAFA was privileged to be supported by the AFC Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE), who facilitated two expert speakers from the Asian Football Confederation:
- Mr. Vijesh Rai – Head of Content, AFC
- Mr. Hafiz Idris – Head of Social Media & CRM Operations, AFC
Mr. Rai presented an in-depth session on content creation, brand storytelling, and digital communication strategies, sharing successful approaches used across AFC competitions.
Mr. Idris explored AFC’s digital ecosystem, offering insights into content planning, real-time match communication, fan engagement tactics, CRM monetization, and case studies from AFC’s most impactful digital campaigns. A dedicated Q&A allowed participants to gain practical guidance tailored to their local environments.
Active Participation Across the Region
With 17 participants representing key media and marketing personnel from each Member Association, the webinar provided a valuable platform for interactive learning. Discussions focused on challenges and opportunities within the region, including resource management, digital innovation, and enhancing engagement across platforms.
Participants expressed strong interest in implementing the strategies presented, recognizing the importance of continuous improvement in communication and brand visibility.
CAFA’s Commitment to Education and Development
This webinar marks an important step in CAFA’s long-term objective to expand professional development opportunities for its Member Associations. CAFA is committed to organizing more educational activities in partnership with AFC ACE to support the growth of football both on and off the pitch in Central Asia.
CAFA extends its gratitude to the AFC Academic Centre of Excellence for their collaboration and to all Member Associations for their active involvement.
