Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Olympic Council of Asia has signed a host city contract with Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, the venue of the fourth Asian Youth Games in 2025.

OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah signed the contract with officials from Tashkent city, including the President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, Rustam Shaabdurakhmonov, on the sidelines of the 39th OCA General Assembly in Muscat, Oman, on Wednesday, December 16.

Tashkent had been confirmed as host city in September 2019 at the 73rd meeting of the OCA Executive Board in Doha, Qatar. On this occasion, Sheikh Ahmad had proposed that Tashkent be awarded the fourth Asian Youth Games in 2025, and it was unanimously approved by the Executive Board.

Following a two-day visit to Tashkent in 2019 by an OCA inspection team, Wei Jizhong, OCA Hon. Life Vice President, said: “Our conclusion is that Tashkent is ready with the existing city infrastructure and sports facilities.”

The inaugural Asian Youth Games was held in Singapore in 2009, followed by Nanjing, China in 2013. The third Asian Youth Games will be held in Shantou, Guangdong province, China from November 20-28, 2021.