Bin Ibrahim Emphasizes Commitment to Strengthening Cooperation with Uzbekistan

The President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, affirmed the continental federation’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Uzbekistan and elevating the partnership between the two sides across various areas of football development.

In a statement, the Kuala Lumpur-based AFC said this came during the meeting between Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim, along with his accompanying delegation, in the capital Tashkent as part of an official visit held the day before yesterday.

Sheikh Salman expressed his gratitude and appreciation to President Mirziyoyev for the warm hospitality and reception, commending the significant efforts undertaken by Uzbekistan to support amateur and professional football, as well as to develop modern sports infrastructure and training facilities. He also praised Uzbek football, noting its remarkable progress and standing at both the continental and global levels, as evidenced by the national team’s qualification for last summer’s FIFA World Cup held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The statement highlighted that the meeting reviewed prospects for future cooperation between the AFC and the Uzbek side, including the organization and hosting of women’s and youth tournaments, and providing technical support in player and coach training, talent identification, and development. It also emphasized the importance of jointly developing football academies and advancing initiatives aimed at expanding youth participation in the sport.

The meeting was attended by several officials from both sides, including Uzbekistan’s Minister of Sports Adham Ikramov, Uzbekistan Football Association President Bahodir Qurbanov, FIFA Council member Yasser Al-Misahl, and AFC Secretary General Datuk Windsor Johnson.