Tashkent, February 14, 2025 – The Europe Today: The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the National Olympic Committee, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, chaired a video conference meeting to discuss the development of the Olympic and Paralympic movement, the advancement of adaptive and mass sports, and the promotion of physical activity among the population.
Recognizing that physical education and sports are essential for nurturing a physically and spiritually developed generation, the state has prioritized the expansion of the sports sector. Over the past four years, state budget funding for sports has doubled from 1.5 trillion to 3 trillion UZS, and the average salary of coaches has also doubled. A total of 101 major sports facilities have been constructed, while 67 existing facilities have been reconstructed. The recent achievements of Uzbek athletes at the Paris Olympics highlight the effectiveness of these efforts.
Aiming for Success at the 2028 Olympic Games
A primary goal outlined during the meeting was securing a position among the top ten national teams at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. To achieve this, training programs and sports federations must be strengthened. The meeting reviewed the performance of 26 sports federations across various regions.
It was noted that Uzbekistan’s representation in athletics and aquatic sports remains limited, with only five and four Olympic licenses secured in these disciplines, respectively, during the last Games. Additionally, Karakalpakstan, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Namangan, and Syrdarya regions demonstrated weaker results, necessitating urgent measures.
Strategic Reforms and Investments
To enhance the identification and training of talented youth in Olympic sports, the President announced several key initiatives:
- Establishing regional branches of the Olympic Committee, led by regional governors, to develop Olympic and Paralympic movements.
- Allocating 300 billion UZS to support the necessary infrastructure and improve selection systems.
- Implementing strategies in cooperation with sports federations to enhance Olympic preparation.
- Incorporating advanced international training methodologies and securing foreign grants.
- Sending athletes and coaches for training at foreign sports academies.
Additionally, 310 regional sports schools will be transformed into a selection base for national teams, with 56 Olympic-adapted schools serving as central training reserves. A three-tier sports categorization system will be introduced to optimize training approaches.
Competitive Framework and Athlete Incentives
A new competitive framework, “Olympic Peaks of New Uzbekistan,” will be introduced in all regions, with local and regional winners receiving incentives from their respective governors. Victors of the regional stages will qualify for the “Presidential Olympics,” held annually in December at the Olympic Village.
Winners will receive valuable prizes, including housing and cars. The top two athletes will gain admission to national Olympic and Paralympic training centers, while university students among them will receive scholarships.
The President also emphasized rewarding not only national team athletes and coaches but also the first trainers who identified and nurtured these talents.
Enhancing Paralympic Sports
Special attention was given to Paralympic sports development. The number of schools accommodating youth with disabilities has increased from 33 to 235, while para-sports participation has quadrupled, surpassing 7,000 individuals.
Collaborating with the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen, Uzbekistan will develop scientific methodologies to further involve youth with disabilities in sports. A dedicated faculty for adaptive sports will be established at the university’s Tashkent branch.
Furthermore, 39 regional sports schools will specialize in Paralympic sports, ensuring tailored training programs for young athletes. Selection criteria for national Paralympic teams will be revised to emphasize performance standards alongside competition results. A dedicated online platform will track the progress of Paralympic athletes, while inclusive competition structures will be implemented to hold Olympic and Paralympic events concurrently.
Private Sector Engagement in Sports
Recognizing the role of the private sector in sports development, the government will establish a unified registry of private sports clubs and set operational criteria for their growth. Private clubs will receive free sports equipment based on their size and reach, while self-employment status will be granted to private coaches. Young athletes from private clubs will be eligible to compete under their club’s name, ensuring that national teams have access to top-tier talent.
Mass Sports and Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives
Efforts to expand mass sports and promote a healthy lifestyle were also discussed. While youth participation in sports competitions has reached 10 million annually, engagement among older generations remains low. To address this, mass physical activity events will be organized in local communities (mahallas), and a rating system will be introduced to encourage participation.
By the end of the year, the most active families will receive fitness equipment, and the best-performing mahallas will have new sports facilities constructed. Additionally, all schools will establish Olympic sports clubs, inter-school competitions will be organized, and outstanding physical education teachers will receive financial incentives.
Promoting a Healthy Nation
The meeting also highlighted the need to integrate sports with healthy nutrition habits. Research indicates that 44% of Uzbekistan’s population leads a sedentary lifestyle, and 36% fail to follow proper dietary guidelines. Declining consumption of dairy, grains, fruits, and vegetables, coupled with rising fast-food consumption, has led to increased health risks.
To counteract these trends, the President called for a national movement under the slogan “A Healthy Person – A Healthy Nation,” emphasizing physical activity and proper nutrition as core lifestyle principles.
The video conference concluded with a dialogue between the President, industry officials, regional governors, and athletes, underscoring Uzbekistan’s commitment to developing world-class athletes, strengthening its Olympic and Paralympic programs, and fostering a healthier, more active society.
