Football Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic

FFKR President Aibek Tashibekovich Alybaev is in Germany now on the world championship for women, which is held this European country at the first time. He is as always busy and works on football development. This interview is organized under the auspieces of FFKR press service.

- Aibek Tashibekovich, it is known, that you have recently met with FIFA president Joseph Blatter. Could you tell about it...

- Yes, this meeting has been held, in spite of his tight schedule and strenuous days on the eve of the Congress, on which he was elected as a FIFA president. It should be noted that Mr. Blatter supported the projects in Kyrgyzstan and expressed his readiness to make assistance to the Football federation of our country. I'm thankful to him for the support and cordiality, with which treats our country and especially FFKR.

Platiny also promised to make assistance

- You also saw the UEFA president Michel Platiny...

- Yes, the meeting with Mr. Platiny was official and devoted to the possible mutual cooperation of UEFA and FFKR. I told him about the activity of our federation. Platiny, in his turn, expressed his readiness to make assistance to FFKR from UEFA by different projects, which are widely, fulfill in Europe. I work on it now. Probably, Platiny will visit our country and become familiar with our sporting infrastructure next year.

- Many European countries are known to make assistance to other less developed countries. So, for instance, Germany makes assistance to Afghanistan and so on. May be we should follow their way?

- There is such a practice in football. We also had a talk on it with a FIFA president Mr. Blatter. He promised to discuss this question of possible mutual cooperation with our federation with the governing body of Switzerland football federation.

A lot of plans!

- Let's go back to the FIFA. What kinds of projects will be implemented in our country with this international organization?

- During a few years a «GOAL» project with the assistance of the FIFA is implemented in our country. Today its third stage is almost finished; it is the flooring of a new pavement on the big ground in the Football centre. There were launched four grounds for mini-football; one of them is in Djalal-Abad. It should be mentioned that the coast of this project is more than 500 thousand dollars. Our Football federation doesn't get this money. The FIFA transfers money directly to the company which won the tender organized itself. We plan to build the stadium up to the all world standards. We also plan to hold three competitions in common with FIFA. Two competitions on the Issyk-Kul, and one in Bishkek. The first beach-football tournament in the Central Asia will be held on the Issyk-Kul lakeside. There are national teams of the CIS will take part. There also annual tournament «Friendship», there will take part the players of 1996 year of birth. In autumn will be held the tournament «Hope» for women teams of the CIS in Bishkek.

Are we the poorest country in the CIS?

- Could you tell about the budget of FFKR?

- There is no secret! We are really the poorest federation of the CIS. Our budget is 250 000 US dollars. The FIFA annually appropriate these funds. For instance, the budget of Uzbekistan federation is about 15000000 US dollars. They have a huge assistance of their president. There also decrees of the president to regional authorities to have the team in the leagues and championships.

About the government assistance

- What about the government assistance?

- Nowadays we don't have enough government assistance. Last year I've asked about it many authorities and just a former mayor bended to me. As a result we have restored a legendary club «Alga», which is represented on the championship under the assistance of the incumbent mayor.

- Today all the authorities have the only excuse, that there is no money in the budget...

- Not quite. There are the authorities who can find the means for the regional teams, but only a few. The main thing is to have a will and love to sport. We should point out Sovetbek Sakebaev (FK «Abdysh-Ata») and Askar Salymbekov (FK «Dordoi»). Their teams play on the championship of the KR for many years and very successful. Now the «Neftchy», team from Kochkor-Ata, our last year's championship joint them now. But I should mention one more time, that to develop football without the government assistance is very difficult.

I hope that in future the government, politicians and businessmen will contribute to the development of Kyrgyz football together. What better then football can unite people, to boost the State power stature in the regions? I would like the politician's teams argued on the football grounds of Talas, Osh, Naryn, Chuy, Djalal-Abad, Batken and Issyk-Kul. Just look how much people came to the match with Iran! People want the piece and the possibility to support their teams. Football is more than a game!

About country championship

- Every year in the championship for the major league take part less clubs, what is the matter?

- The only and main fact of the team's decrees became the well-known political events in April last year. Taking the opportunity I would like to thank all the team's instructors for taking part in the championship.

- It is known that a new Kyrgyz Football League appeared this year, what can you tell about it?

- I think that it is the first step to the professionalization of football in Kyrgyzstan. We hope? That this league will become an organization authorized for the country championship together with the FFKR. Actually, this is the first season for this league, and there are many difficulties and nuances, but the championship is in full swing, There take part the teams from the four regions of our country. That's why I think that the debut turned out well, and it will be better next year. Then together with the League we will effort to attract the sponsors, to ask for the understanding from the president, government, regional authorities. And next year there will be not six clubs but eight or ten in the Major League.

- This year in the championship take part Osh «Alay» after a long pause and «Issyk-Kul», which has some financial difficulties. What kind of assistance represents them the FFKR?

- Thought the FFKR is in a tight spot financially, we found the means and absorbed all the dues, payment for refereeing, and also represented two outfits of playing uniform and provided with the balls. We want people to forget about their problems for a time and came to the stadium to support their teams and to be distracted from their hardships.

The combined team has less practice

- Unfortunately, our national team doesn't show us good results. What is a problem?

- Taking into account that fact that the national team is a visiting card of the country, we try to assist it, in spite of the lack of finance. The Football Federation always takes part in all international competitions and tournaments among the national teams. And I'm sure that we will continue to do it further. As to the results, they will appear, because we have so many gifted guys. The problem is that we have less practice of playing on the international level. The one international tour for the team coasts 60-70 thousand US dollars. It is very difficult with our budget, but we have never missed the calendar competitions. More over, thanks to the personal contacts we were on the training session in Kuwait and Bahrain. We have an agreement of annual training sessions with the Asian Olympic Committee. For instance, in the beginning of this year the Olympic national team took part in the selection tour of the Olympic Games – 2012, the first time for 8 years. At the first selection tour settled by lot we had to play with the one of the strongest teams of the Asia – the Iran team. Thought we didn't get further, we all have seen what game showed our team. I suppose, we have potential.

About Japanese and Streltzov

- May be you should draw in the international specialists to the team?

- You are right, but again the problem is finance. We work on it, we have an agreement with the Japanese Football Association, the Japanese Embassy in the KR about the invitation of the volunteer (grassroots and young teams instructor) for the half year. This project should have started in May of the current year, but according to the request of the Japanese party, because of the tragic incidents in Japan it was moved to September of the current year. In last year autumn to the office of the FFKR technical director was invited a well-known former player of Frunze «Alga» Boris Nikolaevich Streltzov, who has not only great playing skills, but the experience of administration the leading Russian grassroots and young football schools and academies (Spartak, Lokomotiv). Under his direction are all the coaches of youth teams, based on the Football centre. He also consults the coach's staff on national and Olympic teams. I hope, we will bring up ours «Lobanovsky» further.

- According to the vision of the AFC we take place among the football developing countries. As a result we always play with such countries as Nepal and Sri Lanka. Is it difficult to get a progress with such teams?

- I've many times put a question before the AFC and FIFA, which it is difficult to develop in football with Nepal and Sri Lanka, but we have to win them easy and I hope that our requests will be heard soon.

We know that you are a member of the Organizing Committee for AFC President's Cup / AFC Challenge Cup. What are you working on?

- We work on the Regulations, the format of the competitions and place of their holding.

About grassroots and women

- Could you tell about the work with the grassroots and youth football?

- The development of the grassroots and youth football is our priority. Here we emphasize the increasing of the number of football playing children and also girls, trying to increase the mass. We tried to attract young specialists – coaches working with children to bring down their knowledge and experience from the older generation to the young. As to the tournaments, our teams of different age-groups took part in the tournaments in the UAE, Nepal, Azerbaijan and others countries of far abroad., taking into account many tournaments in Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan, Tajikistan. There are 4 main tournaments in our country: Kyrgyz President's Cup, FFKR Cup, Kelechek Cup, and the tournament in memory of Suymbaev A. Last year, we organized the «Gold autumn» tournament. In all these tournaments take part the teams of all the seven regions and Bishkek. The tournaments are held in different age-groups and different cities. Beside these tournaments we organize the international tournament «Friendship Cup», which is held annually on the shore of Issyk-Kul. In September of the current year the youth team U-16 will take part in theу pick-up games of the Asian Championship-2012. As you can see, the Federation works hard in this area.

What about women-football?

- As to the women football we should point out the fact that it develops not so as one would like it to be. Though we have a good basis and human potential to play women football. But it should be noted that the republic championship is held regularly. In 2009 our national women team went to the international tournaments the first time. These are the pick-up games of Asia Championship-2010 held in Malaysia. Winning the 3rd placeу our team moved up to the second round, which was held in Vietnam. Within this scope of the women's football development our country visited for ten days the FIFA instructor Monika Shtab. We planed the ways of the further development. As you know, there is always held the international women tournament «Nadejda» in the country. There take part the teams of near and far abroad. It will be held under the aegis of the FIFA from this year.

Futsal at the high level

- What do you think about the futsal development in our country?

- Speaking about futsal, we should point out that this kind of football is rather young. But, in spite of this, he became popular and reached the definite success not only on the republic, but also on the international scene. In many regions of the republic the regular futsal championships and tournaments are held. Last year the country futsal championship took part at the first tournament of the Asian club championship in Iran, where won the 6th place among 9 teams. Last season on joint initiative with Kazakhstan Football Federation our both clubs tool part in the open Kazakhstan championship and one of our teams won a bronze medal there. In 2010 on the Asian championship in Uzbekistan our team won the 6th place among 16 teams. This year our futsal masters will compete for the access to the final part of the Asian championship - 2012, which is also the pick-up tournament for the World championship – 2012.

About coaches and referees.

- What can you say about referee's education?

- The education of referees, coaches and instructors is one of the priority ways, which FFKR follows. So, there were formed about 10 different seminars and educational courses for 2 years in Kyrgyzstan. Besides, the tours to Tashkent, Dushanbe, Baku, Kuala-Lumpur, Colombo were organized for our specialists. We also have two coaches with the «PRO» certificate, in spite of the fact that the FFKR doesn't have to pay for their certificates, we have paid for them, hoping for the success. I hope, they will help us then.

- One of the most interesting questions for the supporters is refereeing. What at your opinion is kind of refereeing level in the Kyrgyz Republic?

- Actually, refereeing always was the subject for questions and discussions, and it's clear. Trying to settle these questions and systemize the solving of refereeing problems, in 2009 there was formed The Refereeing Department in the FFKR. It is the executive board, implementing the decisions of the Refereeing Committee.

To advance in a skill of the refereeing, there are annually held FIFA/MA refereeing and inspectors courses assisted by the foreign instructors. Young referees visit the Football Festivals annually. There are held the training and in case of the successful passing of exams and tests, they are accepted to the «Future referees» two years' educational AFC project. So in autumn of the last year was opened a school of the young referee on the basis of the football sponsored by the FFKR. Recently there was the first graduation. 22 young referees have got the certificates. Some of the seniors are participated in matches of their country. To prove it I can tell you about some of them. It is our FIFA referee assistant Bahadyr Kochkarov, who took part in the five matches of the South African World Championship, in the best referee's teams. These are also our football futsal and women football referees included in the elite AFC lists and taking part in the matches of the Asian Continent. We will continue our activity in this sphere for improving the refereeing.

About social projects and mass media

- What kinds of the social projects are held under the FFKR assistance?

In it's activity the FFKR pays a great attention to the social development of society. We are the coordinators and partners of many tournaments for socially vulnerable segment of the people, orphan children, and children from disadvantaged families. Last year we gave assistance to the street football and provided the Street Football Federation with the equipment for the World Championship for homeless people. In the beginning of the last year The AFC launched a new social project «Dream Asia», aimed to the social development of the society through football. The Kyrgyz DCCA organization, which activity includes the implementation of different projects and also sport projects particularly football projects.

- What kind of assistance do you give to the regions?

- Football is strong in case of it's support from the regions. We continue to give the financial assistance on the AFC AID 27 program. This program provides the regional coaches with the grants of 20-70 US dollars. According to this project we also pay grants to the regional directors.

This year we represented the financial assistance to the regions in sum of 50 thousand US dollars, which were transferred to the accounts of the regional federations. Besides, every region was provided with dual outfits of football uniform for youth regional teams for the republic competitions. Besides, about 1000 balls from the Korean Football Association were handed out to the regions. The AFC AID 27 program goes on, there take part 18 coaches.

- What about partnership with mass media?

- The press centre began to work with the local journalists and the work with television is improved. We have a contract with the public broadcast company about the broadcasting of our team's matches. The FFKR has an old web site, but we work on the new professional web site, which will show all the information about the events in the Kyrgyz football world.

Something about himself and his dream

- Aibek Tashievich, could you tell us something about you. You also played football?

- I was born in a large family in Toktogul residential community. I left Krupskaya Republic comprehensive secondary boarding school (football department). My specialty is a lawyer; I graduated from J. Balasagyn KGNU, law faculty, then MA course of the Academy of management under the president of the KR «state administration». I'm married, I have six children. I played for the youth teams of Kyrgyzstan, served in the SKA (Khabarovsk), played for the professional team «Sakhalinec» (Russia). My coaches were Revgat Ibragimovich Bibaev and Jusup Iminovich Musaev.

- Do you have your favorite team and player?

- Of course, I do. I support the Kyrgyz team and the «Barcelona» football team, which shows a perfect football. I had the luck to take part in the final Champion League – 2011 on the Wembley stadium. I saw a perfect football there and got unforgettable impressions for all my life. My favorite player is a inimitable Diego Maradona.

- What are your expectations from the coming matches with Uzbekistan?

- On the last Asian Championship Uzbekistan took the fourth place. But we have a young and plucky team, which undoubtedly will give a battle. That's why I hope for the win. The match with a strong competitor will be the «litmus paper» for our guys. I believe we have all chances to make a sensation to go to the next round.

- Well, at last your wishes to our readers and all football supporters?

- I would like to wish, happiness, love and peace to all Kyrgyzstan citizens health, and prosperity to our country. I wish our stations were full of supporters, and our teams to gladden us with their play. And my favorite wish is that one day the Kyrgyz hymn will sound on the World Football championship!

- Thank you very much for your interview!

- Thank you too!

FFKR