Marius Vizer pictured during his visit to Uzbekistan ©Judo Union of Asia

International Judo Federation (IJF) President Marius Vizer has visited the Olympic Training Centre and officials from the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan during a visit to Tashkent.

Vizer, who also met officials from the Uzbekistan Paralympic Committee, was paying his first visit to the Central Asian nation since he officially opened the Centre in 2012.

Many changes have taken place since then, including the construction of an additional hotel, dojo, gym and now a football stadium all now on site.

He praised the "good collaboration" between the Judo Federation of Uzbekistan and the IJF, which has paved the way for the development of Judo in the country.

Marius Vizer met officials from Uzbekistan and Asian judo during his visit ©Judo Union of Asia
Marius Vizer met officials from Uzbekistan and Asian judo during his visit ©Judo Union of Asia

Vizer also met Uzbekistan's First Deputy Minister of Sports Affairs Murodjon Aliyev as well as the NOC general secretary Oybek Kasimov.

“Today I have visited the Judo Federation of Uzbekistan and I could say that Government pays a lot of attention to judo," said Vizer.

"But being here at the NOC and Paralympic Committee proves that all of the Sports in Uzbekistan are paid high importance and this will definitely lead to good results at the international sports events.

"I wish good luck to Uzbek athletes on the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio 2016.”