President Mirziyoyev addresses Olympic Council of Asia, stresses unity through sport

In his speech, the president stressed that, despite growing global tensions, sport continues to serve as a universal platform for dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation among nations and peoples.

The assembly brought together senior leaders and representatives of leading international and regional sports organizations. Among those in attendance were Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, First Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; Witold Banka, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency; Morinari Watanabe, President of the International Gymnastics Federation; Mohammed Jalood, President of the International Weightlifting Federation; Gennadiy Golovkin, President of World Boxing; Tayyab Ikram, President of the International Hockey Federation; Majid Rashid, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee; Vasily Shestakov, President of the International Sambo Federation; Gunilla Lindberg, Secretary General of the Association of National Olympic Committees; and Mustapha Berraf, President of the Association of African Olympic Committees.

Special guests and officials also attended the event, including Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy of the President of the United States; Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev; Saudi Minister of Sport Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud; and Qatar’s Minister of Youth and Sports Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

President Mirziyoyev congratulated Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani on his election as President of the Olympic Council of Asia, highlighting his high level of professionalism, extensive international experience, and significant contribution to the development of sport not only in Asia but globally.

The president also outlined the wide-ranging reforms being implemented in physical education and sport under the New Uzbekistan agenda. These include the introduction of a three-tier “Presidential Olympiad” system of comprehensive sports competitions, the development of modern sports infrastructure such as the Olympic City, and the expansion of systems for identifying and training elite athletes.

He noted Uzbekistan’s strong performance on the international stage, including the successful participation of its athletes at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. It was also emphasized that mass sport is expanding nationwide, with more than 15 million people now regularly engaged in physical activity.

According to the address, international and Asian sports organizations have signed more than 20 agreements with Uzbekistan’s national sports federations. In particular, the International Weightlifting Federation will support the development of the Akbar Djuraev Weightlifting Club in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region using modern scientific approaches. United World Wrestling will establish a regional wrestling academy, the Asian Volleyball Confederation will build one volleyball club in each region, and, with technical assistance from the International Hockey Federation, two field hockey stadiums will be constructed.

Uzbekistan’s firm commitment to the principles of fair sport and its strict stance against doping were also reaffirmed. In this context, the importance of hosting a Central Asian regional meeting of anti-doping organizations and an international forum in Tashkent was highlighted.

Concluding his remarks, President Mirziyoyev stressed that New Uzbekistan remains open to comprehensive and long-term cooperation in sport with all countries, and is ready to advance sports diplomacy and joint initiatives.

At the end of the event, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani was awarded the “Shon-sharaf” Order of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan in recognition of his special contribution to the development of the Olympic movement and the promotion of major sports initiatives.