Uzbekistan, Tashkent, May 17 / Trend, D. Azizov /
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter on Wednesday, the National Information Agency of Uzbekistan (UzA) reported.
At the meeting the sides exchanged views on the prospects of Uzbek football development, as well as expanding Uzbekistan's fruitful cooperation with FIFA.
Football is one of the most popular sports in Uzbekistan. The government supports promotion of football. In January 2011, President Karimov signed a decree "On additional measures to further strengthen the material-technical base and development of football in the republic for 2011-2013", based on which an action plan to improve infrastructure and promote this sport was approved.
Uzbekistan is also interested in cooperation with FIFA in the development of child and youth football, as well as national school of referees and coaches.
Blatter's current visit to Uzbekistan is the third in succession and coincided with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Uzbek football this year.
According to the Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF), in Tashkent FIFA President got familiarized with construction of the Bunyodkor Stadium, visited the biggest football stadium Pakhtakor and recently opened Lokomotiv Stadium.
Blatter has apologized to the Football Federation of Uzbekistan and the people for the deprivation of rights to hold the World Cup among girls under 20 in Tashkent, stressing that FIFA has not thoroughly analyzed the situation.
As it was previously reported, the World Cup among girls was to be held in Uzbekistan in the period from Aug.18 to Sept.9, 2012. But in December, FIFA deprived Uzbekistan of its right to host the championship.
Blatter said he got acquainted with the development of football in Uzbekistan and believes that Uzbekistan is ready to host FIFA tournaments and events. In particular, the country can host the FIFA Congress and 2015 World Cup among youth.