The Japan Football Association (JFA) invited 10 academy directors from 8 teams of the Uzbekistan Professional Football League to conduct a training programme in Tokyo and Shizuoka, from Tuesday 6 March to Monday 12 March. Most recently winning the AFC U-23 Championship China 2018 in January, Uzbekistan is one of the countries in recent years who has shown great success in international tournaments among the youth categories. For this training programme, academy directors from their domestic league were invited to take a lecture from the President of JFA, TASHIMA Kohzo, on the efforts taken by the Japanese football community, followed by lectures given by the JFA Coaches Training Instructors. The group were then taken to visit the JFA Elite Programme U-14’s training camp, FC Tokyo Academy, J. League and ACL matches. The programme was conducted to allow the participants to observe the actual scenes of the development categories, as well as to give an opportunity to discuss and exchange thoughts with the people on-site to further develop the youth development programme in both countries.

Comments

Mirsardoor Alimov Deputy Genearl Director（Uzbekistan Professional Football League）
The Japan Football Association (JFA) invited 10 academy directors from 8 teams of the Uzbekistan Professional Football League to conduct a training programme in Tokyo and Shizuoka, from Tuesday 6 March to Monday 12 March. Most recently winning the AFC U-23 Championship China 2018 in January, Uzbekistan is one of the countries in recent years who has shown great success in international tournaments among the youth categories. For this training programme, academy directors from their domestic league were invited to take a lecture from the President of JFA, TASHIMA Kohzo, on the efforts taken by the Japanese football community, followed by lectures given by the JFA Coaches Training Instructors. The group were then taken to visit the JFA Elite Programme U-14’s training camp, FC Tokyo Academy, J. League and ACL matches. The programme was conducted to allow the participants to observe the actual scenes of the development categories, as well as to give an opportunity to discuss and exchange thoughts with the people on-site to further develop the youth development programme in both countries.

Vadim Shadimatov Academy Director（FC Bunyodkor）
I was very impressed by the training programme’s outline and the correspondence from all the people who has supported the programme. The opportunity to observe the JFA Elite Programme U-14’s training camp, to make a visit to the JFA, to obtain intellectual lectures, and to observe the actual scenes of the development categories were all valuable experience for me. In Uzbekistan my focal point has been in defence, and to learn the Japanese style and their mentality towards defence was very informative. It was a great experience learning from the leading country in Asian football and I would like to visit Japan again.

Sergiy Kucherenko Academy Director（FC Nasaf）
This trip to Japan has given us an opportunity to learn not just about football, but about the Japanese culture as well. The Japanese people are very methodical and diligent. They are also very polite and respects discipline. And I think those qualities are important factors in football as well. The academy of my club team has been successful in Uzbekistan, but compared to Japan, we are well behind in the disciplinary aspects. I would like to take back what I learned in Japan to improve my team. I also hope we can continue to build on our existing relationship between Japan and Uzbekistan.