The Fergana region is widely known for its rich football tradition and talented players.
In particular, FC Neftchi, founded in 1962, is a six-time Uzbekistan Top League champion, a two-time national cup winner, and a Super Cup winner. In 1994, the club reached the CIS Cup final, and in 1994-1995 it won bronze medals in the Asian Champions League.
Systematic work in the region on selecting and training talented young football players, as well as on forming a reserve of qualified coaches, continues today.
In particular, as a result of measures to develop academies within professional football clubs, the “Neftchi” Children’s Football Academy was established in 2025.
The academy, spanning more than 4.5 hectares, is designed to train more than 150 young athletes. It features six football fields, both large and small, as well as a physiotherapy department equipped with modern medical and rehabilitation equipment.
With $1.1 million in funding, an indoor football arena with artificial turf and an air-supported dome has been built at the academy.
To develop football to meet international standards and identify talented youth, a UEFA instructor and other foreign specialists have been invited.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev became familiar with the conditions for football players at the academy, spoke with the young athletes, and observed their training.
