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On the day of Infantino's visit, the
mountainous nation of 7 million inaugurated the new,
FIFA-sponsored headquarters of the Kyrgyz Football Union which
has previously resided in an old, small building on the
outskirts of the capital, Bishkek.
"I spoke to the (Kyrgyz) president (Sadyr Japarov) about the
national stadium of football," Infantino said.
"It is very important, symbolic, but crucial for the
development, so, we will bring more international games to
Kyrgyzstan, and you will shine on the Asian stage and on the
global stage."
Japarov, whose team made up of senior public servants won a
friendly game against that of FIFA officials, said football was
the most popular sport in Kyrgyzstan and the country had
ambitious goals.
"Kyrgyzstan has great, great talents. The men's football team
qualified two times in a row for the Asian cup. In 2019,
excellent tournament..," Infantino said. "Now again, qualified
with very little infrastructure and football development."
FIFA has deployed a talent development team in Kyrgyzstan this
year and is investing in a football academy there, as well as
programmes to promote the sport at schools and among women.
(Reporting by Marlis Myrzakul Uulu; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov;
Editing by Kim Coghill)
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