Both referees are taking part in a Referee Course which is part of the educational activities in the annual festival to promote the game at the grassroots and youth level.

Abdurakhmanov believes that the course helps young judges to increase their knowledge of the rules of football and gain experience.

“Despite the fact that this is the first time I’m taking part in such a festival, I have no doubt that this event will benefit me and help become a good football referee. Here I expect to get good knowledge from highly qualified instructors of the AFC. In addition, the judicial training will help me learn about the latest innovations in the rules of football and gain invaluable experience."

Abdurakhmanov has also expressed his aspiration to join the AFC Project Future Referee programme which grooms young referees to be top officiators in Asia.

“To my knowledge, the best participants in the Referee Course will undergo further training under the AFC Project Future. I will do my best to be among those lucky ones,” he said.

Natalia Gayvaronskaya is the sole representative from the fairer sex now receiving education at the referee course.

“I'm very happy to be here and to be a participant in this event. I think that all students are able to get the maximum knowledge and apply them in their difficult work,” she said.

During the opening of the Referee Course, John Whittle, Director of the AFC Grassroots and Youth Department which oversees the annual youth football extravaganza, said the young referees might well be the “world-famous future judges”.