Speaking at the opening ceremony of the AFC U-14 Festival of Football in Uzbekistan – the first of its kind in the Central Asian region – Whittle remarked:

"The festivals have been implemented to support all future developments within the member associations of the AFC.

"We (the AFC) believe it is very important that the associations start their development programmes early.

"These programmes are for players, coaches and referees and the programmes are critical for the future of football within schools, clubs and associations’ international teams."

Whittle continued by saying that at the end of the festival seven coaches and seven referees will be invited to take part in the AFC’s Project Future programme.