Registration figures rocket in Azerbaijan

The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) has reported an increase of almost 14,000 registered players and coaches in its database since the launch of a registration project in 2009.

The AFFA cites different reasons for the increase from just 1,320 players and coaches when the project started. The first is the organisation of youth tournaments and different grassroots projects. For the last two seasons, the AFFA has organised new youth leagues, including Under-13 and U14 leagues and an U16 women’s league. The association has also organised different schools cups and football lessons in schools, with a total of over 6,500 youngsters involved in these projects over the last two years.

The second factor they identify is more extensive registration in different categories. When the AFFA first started the project, it focused on players and coaches in the domestic professional leagues and youth competitions for U17s and U15s. The next step was to implement the system in amateur football, futsal, women’s football and beach soccer, and to include referees, referee observers and match delegates. The AFFA also registered staff from the clubs, the regional football federations and its own administration.

As of the start of the current season, all participants in all tournaments have to undergo this registration process and receive a special licence. The AFFA database also contains other information such as the qualifications of coaches and other club staff, players selected by AFFA scouts, contact details of football associations, local clubs and clubs in other countries, and statistics and information of those involved in all domestic leagues.