UEFA President visits Kazakhstan

ASTANA. November 19. KAZINFORM. UEFA President Michel Platini has paid a visit to Kazakhstan, where he met senior officials of the Football Federation of Kazakhstan (FSK) and attended the Kazakhstan Cup final. 

During his visit, Mr Platini took the opportunity to view the new 30,000-seater Astana Arena, which also has a retractable roof. The stadium hosted the cup final between FK Atyrau and FC Shakhtyor Karagandy, which Atyrau won 1-0, and the UEFA President joined FSK President Adilbek Dzhaksybekov in presenting medals to the two teams.

Mr Platini held talks with Mr Dzhaksybekov and FSK General Secretary Sayan Khamitzhanov. The discussions centred on a variety of issues, including the priority tasks of the football authorities to tackle corruption and illegal betting in football, as well as ensuring through appropriate grassroots and assistance measures that youngsters are motivated and inspired to play the game. Kazakhstan is one of UEFA's newest member national associations, having joined the European confederation in 2002, Kazinform refers to News Bulletin No 34 of the Kazakh Embassy in the USA.