TOKYO, October 31. /Dunyo IA/. A meeting with Japanese football expert Satoru Sakuma was held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Japan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Satoru Sakuma has extensive experience in football, coaching, and sports management. In 2004, he obtained the highest S-class coaching license of the Japan Football Association. He held senior management and coaching positions at Ventforet Kofu football club and, from 2018, headed Ventforet Yamanashi Sports Club. In 2020, he was engaged as a consultant for youth football development in Namangan Region as part of cooperation between the Japanese club and the region.

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in football, including youth player development, advanced training for coaches, and improvements in football club management.

Particular attention was paid to opportunities to apply Japanese experience in developing football academies, organizing training programs, and improving the management of Uzbek football clubs.

Satoru Sakuma expressed his readiness to contribute to football development in Uzbekistan, including by involving Japanese specialists, facilitating the exchange of professional expertise, and implementing joint projects.

Following the meeting, the parties emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between relevant sports organizations of the two countries.

The planned initiatives are expected to contribute to strengthening Uzbek-Japanese cooperation in sports and expanding opportunities for training young footballers in Uzbekistan.