Photo: VCG

TASHKENT, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan will permit bookmaker activity from 2021 to attract additional funds to further develop sports, especially football, a presidential decree published Friday said.

The decree, signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, also sets out a range of goals to develop football, including making it attractive both for fans and investors, opening sports schools for children, and introducing Video Assistant Referee in national league games.

Previously, some Uzbek officials had spoken in favor of legalizing sports betting to make football attractive and to raise funds to popularize it.

The document also approved a framework for the development of Uzbek football until 2030.