Up to 15 million soums to be awarded for promoting a healthy lifestyle

In Uzbekistan, individuals who promote a healthy lifestyle in mahallas will be awarded up to 15 million soums. This was announced on April 7 during a video conference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on priority tasks in the field of physical education and sports.

According to the report, over the past nine years, 1,774 modern sports grounds and more than 200 large sports facilities have been opened across the country, and nearly 4,000 private sports clubs have been established. During this period, the number of professional athletes and members of the national Olympic team doubled, while the number of Paralympic athletes tripled. Uzbek athletes have won 452 gold, 418 silver, and 501 bronze medals at international competitions.

At the meeting, shortcomings in organizing sports clubs in schools and engaging children were criticized. For example, in Tashkent, sports clubs formally exist in 15 schools, but only three to four students participate. Therefore, regional authorities were tasked with creating proper conditions for sports clubs in schools.

Specialized sports schools were also criticized for not differing significantly from regular schools. It was noted that the performance of four specialized schools in Termez was lower compared to a single sports school in Jarkurgan. It was recommended that the salaries of coaches and directors be linked to sports performance.

The development of sports programs in higher education institutions was also found to be insufficient. At the same time, the experience of Termez State University was positively assessed: the university established four clubs, engaged 5,000 students in 18 sports, and won 18 medals at international competitions. Rectors of 207 higher education institutions were instructed to study this experience and develop annual sports plans.

It was noted that existing sports infrastructure is not being fully utilized in regions such as Jizzakh, Navoi, and Surkhandarya. Rehabilitation and injury prevention for athletes are largely carried out abroad, and it was emphasized that specialized medical centers should now monitor athletes’ health monthly in cooperation with sports federations. It was also announced that, starting from the new academic year, Tashkent Medical University and the Pharmaceutical Institute will begin training specialists in sports and healthy nutrition.

The meeting also discussed cooperation between sports federations and entrepreneurs. The performance of secretaries-general and management staff in 26 federations will be reviewed, and ineffective personnel will be replaced. Their failure to attract sponsorship for sports was sharply criticized.

It was noted that if sports participation and public health improve at the mahalla level, volunteers and mahalla chairpersons will receive up to 15 million soums at the end of the year, while coaches may receive salary bonuses of up to 200 percent.

Ramazon Usanov