The AFC Special Elite Youth Awards 2024 took place today, honouring the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s Member Associations’ (MAs) efforts in nurturing the talent of the future stars of Asian football.
Taking place on the sidelines of the 3rd AFC Women’s Football Conference, the 2024 edition of the awards saw Japan’s Nozomi Hiroyama and Miyo Okamoto recognised as the Youth Coach of the Year (Male) and (Female) respectively while the Prince Takamado U-15 Regional League won the Youth League of the Year title.
Vietnam, who earlier in the day picked up the awards for the Best Grassroots Leader and Best Grassroots Project, added one more feather to their cap when the Hanoi-based PVF Academy was bestowed with the accolade of Youth Academy of the Year (Boys). Meanwhile, China PR’s Suzhou Football Center was awarded the Youth Academy of the Year (Girls).
Youth Coach of the Year (Male): Nozomi Hiroyama
Since hanging up his boots in 2012, Nozomi Hiroyama, who during his playing days enjoyed stints in both Europe and South America, has remained committed to the growth of youth football in Japan.
At the helm of the Japan Football Association (JFA) Academy Fukushima from 2014 to 2018, the former midfielder played a pivotal role in solidifying the institution’s reputation as a benchmark for youth development on the Continent.
In 2019, Hiroyama turned his focus toward nurturing talent across Japan’s various age-group national teams. As assistant coach of the U17 national team, he guided the young Samurai to remarkable achievements, including successfully defending the AFC U-17 Asian Cup™ title in 2023, a Round of 16 finish at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023, and winning the International Dream Cup earlier this year.
Hiroyama said: “The award is a huge honour and I want to thank everyone who has helped me in my career. No matter how long I continue serving as a coach, I will always be most proud of the players I am currently coaching. Watching them grow every day is my biggest achievement.”
Youth Coach of the Year (Female): Miyo Okamoto
A former midfielder, Miyo Okamoto served as an assistant coach across Japan’s age-group women’s national teams before being appointed head coach of Thailand’s senior and U20 women’s national teams where she guided the War Elephants to a silver medal finish at the Southeast Asian Games in 2021.
Known for her innovative tactics, Okamoto returned to Japan as the assistant coach of the U20 women’s national team in 2023.
Under her guidance, the young Nadeshikos went on to finish as runners-up at the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 before also reaching the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia a few months later.
“I am receiving this award on behalf of all coaches who have contributed towards furthering the women’s game. At the JFA, we are dedicated towards establishing a trinity for the development of women’s football. This includes the strengthening of various national teams, enhancing youth development and improving coaching courses,” said Okamoto.
“I hope that I can continue to highlight the many ways football benefits us – from keeping us physically fit to expanding our minds and enriching our societies.”
Youth Academy of the Year (Boys): PVF Academy
Since its establishment in 2017, the PVF Academy has consistently strived to become one of the most reputed football academies in Southeast Asia.
The academy first received a three-star membership under the AFC Elite Youth Scheme in 2020 which was renewed earlier this year thanks to the institution’s stellar efforts to provide talented youth footballers in the country with the best resources for them to hone their skills.
Boasting a wide array of facilities, including a mini stadium, multiple grass as well as artificial football pitches, a gymnasium, and medical and rehabilitation rooms, the PVF Academy puts a great deal of emphasis on creating an environment where youngsters remain on their educational journey and also participate in extra-curricular activities such as music and language lessons, ensuring their development as well-rounded individuals.
Currently housing 150 youth footballers, the academy has consistently supplied players for the Vietnamese national youth teams, with as many as six players participating in the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 Qualifiers.
“It is a matter of great pride that, following the renewal of our three-star membership—which already affirms us as one of the best academies in Asia—the AFC has further validated our efforts with this recognition,” said My Dung Nguyen, Deputy Director General at PVF Football Academy.
“We will keep enhancing our talent identification system, scouting the most promising players, and nurturing them to become professional players capable of competing both in Vietnam and abroad. Additionally, we will focus on strengthening our technical staff and fostering the development of more qualified coaches.”
Youth Academy of the Year (Girls): Suzhou Football Center
Since its formation in 2022, the Suzhou Football Center has quickly established itself as a premier institution for developing the talent of elite youth female footballers in China PR.
Co-founded by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the Suzhou Government, the academy functions as a national youth training hub and has organised training camps for almost 500 players in various age groups, while also hosting multiple workshops for regional coaches.
In line with the CFA’s philosophy, the Suzhou Football Center collaborates with several local schools to ensure that the enrolled young girls not only receive the highest standards of football training but also adequate academic support.
Alongside dedicated coaching staff, the academy provides excellent facilities, ranging from fully equipped gymnasiums and pitches exclusively reserved for elite youth teams to regular medical checkups and the presence of full-time doctors for each team. The academy has witnessed incredible growth with more than 100 elite female players scouted to provincial teams, professional clubs and national teams across age groups.
“We established the academy only two years ago and have already gained considerable success but there are also several challenges and thus, this award is a great source of encouragement for all of us involved in the project and is a new starting point for our next phase,” said Wang Jianjun, Head of Suzhou Football Center.
“The Academy aims to introduce advanced educational concepts to guide Chinese women’s football, and develop leaders and role models among players. Despite being established only a short while ago, the Suzhou Football Center has made significant contributions to Chinese women’s football, and we hope more players from Suzhou will represent China PR on the world stage in the future.”
Youth League of the Year: Prince Takamado Trophy U-15 Regional League
Established by the JFA in 2008, the Prince Takamado Trophy U-15 Regional League has over 7000 registered teams in the U15 category, with 170 of them participating in regional leagues who have qualified through playoffs.
Taking place all year round, the league culminates in a national championship featuring the best 32 sides, ensuring a high level of competition.
Involving teams from junior high schools and youth clubs from across nine regions, the Prince Takamado Trophy U-15 Regional League works in close cooperation with local Football Associations of the JFA, facilitating operational stability and broad participation.
“This award is a recognition of the efforts of our predecessors who established the league culture in Japan as well as the coaches who are currently organising and running the leagues in their respective regions and prefectures. I am confident that this recognition will motivate them further to keep up their good work,” said Yusuke Miura, JFA Deputy Director of Youth Development.
