02.08.2023

The President visited the National Football Team Training Centre being built in Yukorichirchik region.

The centre is being organized in cooperation with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). At present, a stadium with 8,000 seats has been built. There are plans to build 7 additional training pitches, a beach football pitch, a mini-football pitch, a swimming pool, a rehabilitation complex, and dormitories.

During a meeting with representatives of the football industry, issues related to attracting highly qualified foreign technical directors to improve the overall football structure were discussed. Instructions have been given to organize regional centres in Karakalpakstan, Kashkadarya, Jizzakh, Namangan and Tashkent, and to improve the coaching schools.

The President stressed the importance of popularizing football among young people and creating favourable conditions for it.

Football is a popular sport in Uzbekistan. In fact, 9 out of 10 people are interested in it. We should use this factor and radically improve the current standards. For instance, there are 10,000 schools, 208 districts and cities. How do we imagine football in schools, makhallas, and collectives? What should we do to ensure that children who have a passion for football can realize themselves in this field? Thirdly, we need to think about the young people who have finished their football careers, and what additional professions we can teach them, said the President.

The Head of our state also conversed with young football players.

Our nation loves football very much. Football is like a “family friend” to us. We all watch our national team’s performances with pride and excitement. In the family, you are the children of your parents, but on the pitch, you are children of the whole nation. Always remember that, said the President.

The importance of developing a sense of patriotism among football players was emphasized.

Football players travel all over the world, and play for foreign teams. They need to know the history and conditions of Uzbekistan very well. They are our goodwill ambassadors and an example for our children, said the Head of our state.

The development of football medicine and rehabilitation centres based on the latest world achievements was also discussed.