Dr Roy said he was pleased with the facilities provided by the Uzbekistan Football Federation, which is hosting the event from March 13-26.

“I believe that the success of the Festival depends very much on the facilities given. With the proper set up, this event will run smoothly and successfully,” he said.

“Although this is my first visit to Uzbekistan, in particular Tashkent, I am impressed. The Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF) has done their best by providing us the best working tools possible.

“As all the necessary medical facilities are located close to the football field, it makes our works much easier." said Roy, from India, who conducted an inspection with chief doctor Vladimir Pelipeyko on Sunday.

Courses are currently ongoing in the first week of the Festival, including the AFC ‘C’ certificate coaching course, a preparatory course for referees, head coaches workshop and an S2S programme.

A total of 30 head coaches from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and host Uzbekistan are participating in a two-day-long workshop under the guidance of AFC Grassroots and Youth Department Director John Whittle.

The Festival matches will held in the second week after the courses are finished.

The West Asia’s Festival was held from February 21 to March 6 in Doha, Qatar. After Tashkent, it will be followed by the East Asian Festival from April 14-27 in Beijing, China. South Asia will celebrate their Festival from May 10-23 in Hamedan City, Iran while the ASEAN event is scheduled for May 24 to June 6 in Kota Kinabalu in the Malaysian province of Sabah.

The Festivals are less about competition and more about providing an arena for talented juniors from their respective regions to play against each other and forge bonds of friendship.