Explaining the ‘Dream Asia’ project initiated this year, Bin Hammam spoke about the positive start to the AFC’s ‘Midnight Football’ programme in Malaysia and how it could be adopted by Uzbekistan.

“Uzbekistan can benefit from our ‘Midnight Football’ initiative, which targets the less privileged young people, to keep them away from the streets and make them more attached to football,” he said, while also opening the door to the AFC’s other development programmes.

“Also, Uzbekistan can join the Vision Asia project, to help the programs of developing the game in the regions and provinces outside Tashkent.”

The President was in Tashkent to present the trophy to the winners of the AFC U-16 Championship and at Sunday’s meeting – which was also attended by UFF (Uzbekistan Football Federation) President Mirabror Usmanov, Dali Taher, AFC Ex-co member and AFC Youth Competitions Committee Vice Chairman, and AFC Referees’ Committee member Ahmed Jassim – he hailed the efforts of the Uzbekistan government and the UFF in making the tournament such a huge success.

“Uzbekistan has succeeded for the second time in hosting the under 16 championship and the country has made a great impact in terms of organisation and facilities,” said Bin Hammam.

Mirziyoyev, pictured shaking hands with the AFC President, remarked that Uzbekistan is keen to host more continental competitions in the future and announced their intention to bid for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

“We look forward to the day we host the Asian Cup final we hope that the championship can be played in Uzbekistan in 2019,” he said.

“We are very keen to host more AFC, and maybe FIFA competitions in the future, at all levels as our development programmes always include youth and women.

“The Uzbekistan government has also started major projects to build more football infrastructure in the rural areas outside Tashkent.”