Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Qatar’s Dr. Khalid Abdulrahman Yousif Al-Khelaifi was celebrated at the 4th AFC Medical Awards in Kuala Lumpur, receiving the prestigious AFC Young Medical Officer Award for his outstanding contributions to sports medicine and player care.  

The award recognizes medical professionals under 45 who excel in research, innovation, and football medicine development. Dr. Al-Khelaifi, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and Director of the Visiting Surgeons Program at Aspetar, was honored for his leadership in advancing sports science in Qatar and beyond.  

A key figure in Qatar’s medical community, Dr. Al-Khelaifi has played pivotal roles in major events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, and contributes to medical education as an editor of the Aspetar Journal and faculty member at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. His work reflects Qatar’s commitment to excellence in sports medicine.  

The ceremony, held alongside the 8th AFC Medical Conference, also honored 13 medical professionals with Distinguished Service Awards. Aspetar, Qatar’s leading sports medicine hospital, was further recognized as a key partner in the conference’s success .  

This achievement underscores Qatar’s growing influence in global football medicine, driven by experts like Dr. Al-Khelaifi.