Number of people engaged in mass sports in Uzbekistan reaches 15 million

In 2025, the number of people in Uzbekistan who regularly engage in sports increased by nearly 1.5 times compared to recent years, with mass sports participation reaching 15 million people. This was stated during a presentation on the work carried out in the sports sector in 2025, the results of major competitions, and tasks planned for 2026, which President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed today, January 20.

The presentation noted that last year Uzbek athletes ranked 13th at the World Universiade, second at the Youth Games in Bahrain and the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia, and first at the Youth Asian Para Games in the UAE. It was also highlighted that Uzbekistan’s national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in history, and that Javokhir Sindorov won the World Cup.

It was also reported that the Presidential Olympiad, established in 2025 to create a strong talent pool for international sports competitions and the Olympic Games, was held, with 103,000 athletes participating in its first edition. At the final stage of the competition, more than 3,000 athletes competed in 11 sports disciplines for 135 gold, 134 silver, and 227 bronze medals. Going forward, it has been instructed to hold the competition twice a year, organize it for the 13–14 age group in the regions, and gradually increase the number of sports disciplines to 20.

The presentation also recalled the opening of the Olympic Village and the National Football Center last year, describing it as a significant milestone in the development of the sports sector. It was noted that 17 Olympic sports federations and other sports organizations have already relocated to the Olympic Village.

In addition, information was provided about several major international sports events scheduled to be held in Tashkent in January this year, including a meeting of the Executive Bureau of the World Aquatics Federation, a meeting and international forum of the Regional Anti-Doping Organization of Central Asia (RADOCA), and the 46th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia.

The Olympic Council of Asia was established in 1982 and coordinates the Olympic movement across the Asian continent. It currently includes the national Olympic committees of 45 countries. Within the framework of the General Assembly, it is planned to determine the key directions of the Asian Olympic movement and hold elections for the position of the council’s president.

Representatives of the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Council of Asia, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), international sports federations, and other influential sports organizations are expected to take part in these events. In total, more than 360 foreign guests are anticipated.

It was also announced that starting this year, the President’s Cup, the “Heroes of Uzbekistan” tournament, the Prosecutor General’s Cup, and wrestling competitions among military personnel will be held on a regular basis. From 2026, schools under construction in the regions will begin training athletes not only in national wrestling but also in Greco-Roman, freestyle, and women’s wrestling. By the end of the year, wrestling clubs will be opened in at least one school in every district and city.