13.08.2021

Dear friends!

Olympic athletes, victors and prizewinners!

Dear parents, coaches and mentors!

First of all, I sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, congratulate you and in your person all our people on the huge, truly historic achievement of the national team of Uzbekistan at the Olympic Games.

All of us, of course, watched with great interest and excitement on television every performance of the representatives of Uzbekistan at the most prestigious competitions in the world.

Our brave and strong-minded athletes justified this high trust and dedicated their bright victories to our people. Undoubtedly, they became a worthy gift for the great holiday – the 30th anniversary of the independence of our Motherland.

At the Olympics, athletes of Uzbekistan won 3 gold and 2 bronze medals and rose to the victory rostrum.

We all know that the best, strongest athletes in the world compete at the Olympic Games.

As the great poet and thinker Alisher Navoi said, one must fight with a lion - like a lion, stand to the last.

You, having bravely entered the field of struggle with world-renowned athletes, prevailed not only over them, but also over their results - you broke 3 Olympic records and opened a new bright page in the history of world sports.

The national team of Uzbekistan among the strongest athletes from more than 200 countries took 32nd place in the overall standings, the second place among the teams of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the first place in Central Asia. This is a huge achievement in the history of Uzbek sports.

Those moments when the anthem sounded in honor of our winning athletes and the flag of the Motherland was raised high, our hearts were filled with boundless pride.

Certainly, our heroes, the winners of the Tokyo Olympics, who are taking part in today’s meeting, deserve special honors and admiration.

On behalf of the people of Uzbekistan, I express my gratitude to the 19-year-old master of sports in taekwondo Ulugbek Rashidov, who brought the national team the first gold medal, as well as to his father, respected Ismatilla Rashidov and mother Oksana Danilenko, who were present at our meeting.

Ulugbek became the youngest athlete in the history of Uzbekistan to win an Olympic gold medal.

We are all very happy that our talented weightlifter Akbar Jurayev set an Olympic record, lifting 430 kilograms in total, and won the second gold medal. We sincerely thank Hafizakhon Normatova, a mother of Akbarjon, who raised such a brave palvan-strong man.

We all know well the invincible Bahodir Jalolov, who hails from Surkhan, the native land of Alpamysh. We heartily congratulate the hero and his loving mother Sabohat Jalolova.

I always remember with special warmth our last meeting and sincere conversation with them.

This consummate boxer has worked on himself for many years and has become an example for young people. Bakhodir fulfilled his promise to his mother and people and presented our Motherland with the third gold medal. With this, he further glorified the Uzbek boxing school.

Congratulations to the talented representative of the national judo school Davlat Bobonov and the experienced freestyle wrestler Bekhzod Abdurakhmanov with bronze medals in an uncompromising wrestling.

Today among us are the parents of Davlatjon - Khusniddin-aka and Nuriyakhon-opa, as well as Bekhzodjon’s – Muhammadjon and Muhabbatkhon Abdurakhmonovs.

We are grateful to them with all our hearts, as well as to the coaches for raising and educating such heroes.

Such high achievements can only be obtained by a generation fully worthy of our great ancestors - such as Jalaliddin Manguberdy, Amir Temur, Pakhlavan Mahmud, Zakhiriddin Babur.

Today, the whole Uzbekistan honors you, his brave sons, the whole world pays tribute to you.

Once again, I will repeat a thought. We must achieve global recognition by our honest work, intellect, determination and will. Undoubtedly, the bright achievements of our athletes, who glorify the new Uzbekistan with their new victories, will become another important step in this direction.

I think I speak for all our people if I say: purposeful youth loyal to the Motherland are our greatest wealth, the «golden fund» of the nation.

 

Dear compatriots!

Certainly, as we all know in what difficult conditions the Olympic Games were held this year. The ongoing pandemic has created unexpected challenges for athletes’ physical and psychological fitness.

This Olympics became a real test of courage and stamina, an arena of fair and sharp rivalry. Due to the current situation, many competitions were held without the participation of fans. This has never happened in the history of the Olympic Games.

We all saw that in such a difficult situation the athletes of Uzbekistan, striving only for victory, showed an example of valor and courage.

Every minute our athletes felt the love and support of their people, millions of fans, and this gave them a powerful boost of energy, served as a source of fortitude.

Taking this opportunity, on behalf of all our people and on my own behalf, I express my sincere gratitude to all the members and coaches of the Olympic team of Uzbekistan, who worthily defended the honor of the Motherland and gave us an unforgettable experience of exciting competitions in Tokyo.

In achieving high results, of course, the long and careful preparation for the Olympic Games and the conditions created for this by the state were of great importance. Thanks to this attention, the representatives of Uzbekistan received 71 Olympic tickets in 17 sports - the largest number in the history of national sports.

Another important point is that the large-scale work we are doing to develop women’s sports is bearing fruit. This is confirmed by the fact that 28 of our athletes have won tickets to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It should be noted that this is a record figure in the history of independent Uzbekistan.

Our athletes, representing women’s boxing, won 3 tickets to the Olympics for the first time. As a result, the total number of boxing licenses was 11. This figure is especially remarkable because only three countries of the world have participated in the current Olympic Games with such a number of boxers.

Moreover, there are many such examples. All this indicates that the Olympic movement in Uzbekistan is dynamically developing, reaching a new, even higher level.

In this regard, on the basis of a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, it would be advisable to organize exhibitions dedicated to the sports achievements of our victors and prize-winners of the Tokyo Olympics in their native makhallas (the local neighborhood community areas), in schools and universities.

 

Dear friends!

Taking this opportunity, with deep respect, I would like to say about a wonderful athlete who has been engaged in gymnastics for many years and won world fame - Oksana Chusovitina.

We are all well aware that her first Olympics took place in Barcelona in 1992. And since then, she continuously, eight times, won the right to participate in the Olympic Games. This is truly a unique case in the history of world sports, which is included in the Guinness World Records.

The next participation of Oksana Alexandrovna was noted as an important event of the Tokyo Olympics. The world community watched Oksana’s performance with delight and admiration, paying tribute to Chusovitina’s resilience, her dedication to her work.

Indeed, it takes a strong character and dedication to devote a lifetime to sport and the pursuit of success in such a major event.

We are justly proud of such legendary athletes. Her courage and will to win serve as a kind of school of high achievements and glory for young athletes.

For outstanding achievements, Oksana Chusovitina is awarded the honorary title «Honored Trainer of the Republic of Uzbekistan».

I hope that Oksana Chusovitina will successfully conduct coaching activities and will make a worthy contribution to the education of new champions in gymnastics.

In this regard, the Cabinet of Ministers is instructed to organize schools of sports mastery for Oksana Chusovitina and Bakhodir Jalolov and create all the necessary conditions for their work.

Dear Oksana Aleksandrovna, once again I express my deep gratitude to you for your love and devotion to the Motherland, dedication in sports, unyielding will and resilience.

 

Dear friends!

It should be noted that this Olympics opened for us a number of new talented athletes, new heroes of the new Uzbekistan. In particular, our 18-year-old sportswoman, a worthy daughter of the Karakalpak people, Zainab Daibekova, became the first participant in saber fencing competitions in the history of Uzbekistan. Most importantly, in the second round of the competition, she defeated the Asian Games finalist, an experienced Chinese athlete who is ranked 3rd in the world rankings.

I am confident that Zainab will participate even more actively in the next Olympic Games and certainly bring Uzbekistan a gold medal.

Nineteen-year-old Kumushkhon Fayzullaeva was recognized as the youngest participant in weightlifting competitions among girls in the weight class up to 76 kilograms. It is worth to note that few athletes in the world are honored to participate in the Olympic Games at this age.

Undoubtedly, all this is the output of great care and attention to the upbringing of the younger generation, the development of physical training and sports in our country.

Dear friends, as you can see, courageus athletes of Uzbekistan are boldly entering the international arena. We all sincerely admire them.

At the same time, I want to say to our young men: if you don’t work hard with even greater persistence, the girls will soon overtake you.

Along with modern educational institutions, new sports schools and complexes, stadiums and swimming pools are being built in our country that inspires in the hearts of children the love of sport. Positive results are obtained by our large-scale work on decent stimulation of the hard work of coaches and mentors of this field, providing them with material and moral support.

I am confident that the results of this Olympics will give a strong impetus to the development of all sports in our country.

Most importantly, such victories inspire young people to raise the bar ever higher and strive for success in all the areas, including in sports, and constantly follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle.

It is a great honor and responsibility to participate in the Olympic Games - the largest sporting event in the world. Certainly, we all well understand that for this it is necessary to overcome many difficulties and challenges.

I would like to address our athletes, who were unlucky this time: keep the spirits up, next time success will surely come. It is important for us that they also show zeal and fearlessness in the fight, demonstrate their full potential in major competitions. Therefore, we sincerely welcome them on a par with the winners.

We decided to adequately reward the victors and prize-winners of the Olympiad, their coaches and all participants. As it is well-known, in Uzbekistan, the holders of the Olympic gold medal are awarded in the amount of $200 thousand, a bronze medal - $50 thousand.

I would like to especially note the merits of the selfless coaches who are day and night with the athletes in order to prepare them for uncompromising competitions. We have great respect for such experienced coaches as Tulkin Kilichev, Pavel Khan, Farhod Mirzajanov, Nurali Kobulov, Muzaffar Abdurakhmonov, who showed real dedication in training our victors and prize-winners.

We decided to reward the coaches of the Olympic champions in the amount of $40 thousand, the coaches of the bronze medalists - $20 thousand.

If we consider that every athlete who took part in the Olympic Games goes through a long, difficult path of preparation, then we can confidently say that today, along with the winners, the rest of our Olympic team also deserve awards. In this regard, we decided to reward each of the athletes with renumeration of $5 thousand.

 

Dear compatriots!

The Tokyo Olympics revealed the names of new heroes for us. You can be sure that their sporting achievements will become a solid foundation for even more successful participation in future Olympic Games.

In this regard, it should be admitted that we did not achieve significant results in team sports at the Olympic Games. This should be a matter of serious concern to responsible leaders. It would be a big mistake to believe that we will continue to achieve success only through martial arts, as at the previous Olympic Games. This is fundamentally the wrong approach.

We are all well aware that Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be even more important in demonstrating our country’s enormous potential in sports. We all need to deeply realize this and begin to act on a comprehensively thought out, clear system.

Our main goal should be to get tickets to the next Olympics in team sports such as football, basketball, handball, field hockey, rugby, volleyball.

In this regard, special attention should be paid to the following issues.

First, it is necessary to carefully analyze the participation of the sports delegation of our country in the Olympic Games in Tokyo and draw conclusions from the mistakes and shortcomings made.

For this, it is advisable to conduct an audit in each link of the sector management system with the involvement of one of the leading international companies in the field of sports management.

Deputy Prime Minister A. Abdukhakimov, together with the National Olympic Committee and the National Paralympic Committee, until the end of this year, based on the results of the audit, develop proposals for further improving the management system in the sphere of physical training and sports, as well as sports federations.

We must start comprehensive training for the future Olympic Games today. If we set a clear task for ourselves and work conscientiously, then we will certainly achieve our goal. For example, we have every chance to win over 100 licenses and be among the 15 countries with the most medals at the next Summer Olympics in Paris.

At the same time, it is necessary to take measures to develop appropriate sports and create the necessary conditions in all cities and regions, this is the requirement of the time.

To do this, it is necessary to develop and organize the systematic implementation of programs to prepare for the Olympic Games in the context of each region.

Prime Minister A. Aripov is instructed to deeply analyze the reasons for the successes and shortcomings in this area and submit a draft resolution on preparations for the Paris Olympics.

Second, we need to improve the quality of sports education, radically improve the system of identifying talented and promising athletes, and the formation of their reserve.

The good results can be obtained from the introduction of modern programs and training methods, the creation of Paralympic departments in sports educational institutions and the allocation of an additional 10 percent quota to them.

It is necessary to abolish the procedure for charging parents for sports activities. It is also necessary to introduce a system for admitting graduates of sports educational institutions to universities in the areas of physical training and sports on the basis of state grants, immediately for the second year and without exams.

It is important to attract highly qualified specialists with extensive experience to colleges of the Olympic reserve, especially in team sports.

At the same time, it should be openly admitted that the practice of attracting athletes from abroad (legionnaires) at the expense of high costs has not entirely justified itself. It is time to give it up and focus on training your athletes. It is necessary to involve not legionnaires, but leading specialists and advanced methods of training athletes.

Deputy Prime Minister A. Abdukhakimov, Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education A. Toshkulov, within two months, together with the National Olympic Committee, submit a proposal to further improvement the quality of education in the field of sports, as well as to attract highly qualified coaches and specialists, modern methods from developed countries.

Third, we must pay attention to the formation of quotas for admission to colleges of the Olympic reserve based on the characteristics of sports.

For example, a volleyball team consists of 10 players, while only 3-5 students are admitted to college for this direction. A similar picture is observed in all team sports. Naturally, in such a situation, there is no need to talk about the development of this direction.

It cannot be considered satisfactory that the quota of admission to college in one of the most developed areas in our country - boxing - is only 4 people. Moreover, in the world, competitions in this sport are held in 13 weight categories.

In short, it is necessary to completely revise the quotas for admission to the Olympic reserve colleges and establish them on the basis of the new system. Undoubtedly, the specialization of these educational institutions in those sports that are well developed in the regions will give positive results. For example, in Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya it is martial arts, in the regions of the Fergana Valley – team sports and boxing, in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm and Tashkent regions – weightlifting and fencing.

A. Abdukhakimov, together with the National Olympic Committee and sports federations, is instructed to submit a draft resolution on the reorganization of Olympic reserve colleges and the improvement of the sports education system within a month. The National Olympic Committee should be entrusted with such tasks as close interaction with these colleges, the search and support of gifted young people, and the organization of serious selection work.

Fourth, now there are 329 sports schools in our country. Over 328 thousand students regularly engage in more than 30 sports under the guidance of more than 13 thousand coaches.

However, not all sports schools are efficient. This confirms the fact that in most of them not a single champion of the republic has been trained. And yet, 7 thousand children are engaged in colleges of the Olympic reserve. How much money is allocated from the budget for their training! However, only 70 graduates took part in the Olympiad, which, of course, does not satisfy us at all.

Therefore, from 2021, it is necessary to introduce a state procurement system for each sports school. Particular attention will be paid to the training in sports schools of athletes with the categories and titles of «Candidate for Master of Sports», «Master of Sports», «Master of Sports of International Class». On the basis of this system, sports schools will be ranked and their performance will be assessed.

A.Abdukhakimov – within a month shall develop a draft resolution on the introduction of the state procurement system in sports schools.

Fifth, the level of national championships has decreased. The most alarming cases of corruption in this area.

For example, it has become common to apply for participation in the republican stage of the competition of the same athletes of certain categories without holding regional stages. Therefore, there are very few strong athletes in our championships and there is almost no competition. In addition, teams from the regions are underrepresented in team sports tournaments. Moreover, federations are content with holding championships with the participation of only 4-5 teams, so to speak, «for show». So, in 2021, 4 teams took part in the basketball and water polo championships of Uzbekistan.

For the successful implementation of tasks in the sports sector, first of all, it is necessary to further improve public administration in the field.

Prime Minister A. Aripov is instructed to submit a draft resolution on revising the structure of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and improving the system of holding competitions in team sports within a month.

Sixth, it is important to improve the physical, psychological training, medical and pharmacological support of athletes from the Olympic reserve, for this, along with advanced foreign experience, apply the proven achievements of science and traditional medicine.

It is necessary to develop and implement a list of domestic food products and an optimal diet that will help athletes recover physically and psychologically, and have a positive effect on their health and physical capabilities.

It is very important to pay attention to the psychological preparation of the athletes of the Olympic teams. After all, the stronger the spirit of the athlete and his self-confidence, the better the result. For these purposes, it is necessary to open departments of sports psychology and dietetics at the Republican Scientific - Practical Center of Sports Medicine.

The National Olympic Committee, together with the Minister of Health A. Khadjibaev and the Minister of Finance T. Ishmetov, within a month, shall develop and submit to the Cabinet of Ministers a program to equip the Republican Scientific - Practical Center of Sports Medicine operating under the Committee with modern medical equipment.

Seventh, it is necessary to introduce a modern system of incentives for the victors and prize-winners of the Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, other prestigious international competitions, as well as their coaches.

In this regard, we will expand the incentives for the winners and prize-winners of the world championships among juniors and youth, as well as the coaches who have prepared them for these competitions. In particular, monetary rewards will be introduced: gold medal winner – at the amount of   $3 thousand, his coach – $2 thousand, silver medal winner $3 thousand, his coach – $1 thousand, bronze medal winner – $1 thousand, his coach – $5 hundred.

In addition, the mentors of the winners of the international championships will be awarded the honorary titles «Honored Mentor of the Youth of the Republic of Uzbekistan», «Honored Trainer of the Republic of Uzbekistan».

A. Abdukhakimov, T. Ishmetov, together with the National Olympic Committee and the National Paralympic Committee, within three months, radically revise the sports financing system and make proposals for its improvement, taking into account modern requirements. At the same time, special attention should be paid to the transparency of this system and the efficiency of spending, as well as material incentives for the first coaches who trained talented athletes.

Eighth, it is necessary to completely digitalize the work on the identification, recruitment and selection of talented young athletes in the regions and the organization of the championships of Uzbekistan. This, in turn, will serve to create a fair system for attracting athletes to national teams in Olympic sports.

Deputy Prime Minister A. Abdukhakimov, Minister for Development of Information Technologies and Communications Sh. Sodikov are instructed to launch the Olympic Reserve Sports Platform by the end of the year at the expense of the Information and Communication Technologies Development Fund.

 

Dear friends!

We have to implement a state program to create favorable conditions for the preparation of the Olympic and Paralympic reserves and improve the sports infrastructure until 2024. About 50% of obsolete equipment in sports facilities will be updated.

In addition, we need to systematically prepare for the next Olympic Games and major international sports competitions. Currently, the construction of the «Olympic and Paralympic City» is in full swing to host the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Tashkent at a high organizational level. It will also host training centers for federations of boxing, wrestling, water sports, rowing and others.

I am confident that this facility with the most modern conditions and technologies will turn into a gigantic complex - the embodiment of the new sports image of Uzbekistan.

In recent years, a new system has been introduced in our country to create the necessary conditions for sports for people with disabilities, ensure their worthy participation in international tournaments and provide them with state support.

We will continue to view the Olympic and Paralympic movements as an integral system, create broad conditions, opportunities and incentives for them.

As you know, the Summer Paralympic Games will start in Tokyo on August 24. I am sure that the representatives of Uzbekistan will also successfully perform at these important competitions, defending the honor of our Motherland.

A group of our Paralympic athletes is also taking part in today’s ceremony. Taking this opportunity, we wish them all good luck and victory in the upcoming competitions.

 

Dear sports heroes!

As you can see, there is no sphere in the world today that would not be affected by the pandemic. The difficult situation in the organization of sports competitions also affects the condition of athletes. Therefore, we must effectively use the available opportunities and not weaken the preparation for sports competitions despite the difficulties and trials.

I am confident that you will not stop there, continue our glorious traditions in sports, so that the flag of the new Uzbekistan will always rise high at the most prestigious international competitions.

As you know, in accordance with the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the winners and prize-winners of the Tokyo Olympics and their coaches were awarded honorary titles, orders and medals of our country.

 

Dear athletes, coaches and mentors!

The high State awards just presented are a tribute to the people and the Motherland of your work, talent and skill. I am confident that such attention and honor will give you new strength and energy, inspire you to even brighter victories.

I wish all of you a sound health, happiness and success on this glorious path!

Taking this opportunity, I sincerely congratulate you on the upcoming greatest, most dear holiday for all of us – the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Motherland.

 

Thank you for your attention!

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