Uzbek team eliminated from ongoing Asian championship in Tashkent

Due to age-related disputes involving some team members, the Uzbekistan U-20 girls’ handball team has been disqualified from the ongoing XVIII Asian championship in Tashkent, the Uzbekistan Handball Federation reported.

According to the reports, discrepancies were found in the documents of team members Anastasia Khudoyorova (19), Sevinch Erkaboeva (20), and Sabina Mullaevan (20). These players had also participated in the 2024 World Championship held in North Macedonia. Under Article 1.2.e of the regulations for the ongoing XVIII Asian championship in Tashkent, the age limit for players is set at 20. The Asian Handball Federation ruled that, considering these players would be ineligible for the 2026 World Championship, the Uzbekistan team was disqualified from the final stage and all results in their group were annulled.

The Uzbekistan Handball Federation has submitted an appeal letter to the International Handball Federation regarding this matter. Notably, during the tournament, the Uzbekistan girls’ team defeated Chinese Taipei 29–27 and narrowly lost to China, one of the strongest teams on the continent, with a score of 25–29.

It is worth noting that the Asian championship was scheduled to take place from August 20 to 29 this year.