Sport – The Solid Foundation of National Health and Progress

The video-selector meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev not only summarized the achievements in the field of physical culture and sports in our country but also clearly defined existing problems and future priority tasks. The Head of State's remark that "sport is not just about competition" reveals the core essence of today's reforms—namely, that sport is a tool for shaping a healthy, disciplined, and patriotic generation of society.

Specific figures presented at the meeting demonstrate the vast scale of the work being carried out. The construction of 1,774 modern sports grounds in more than 1,500 neighborhoods over the past nine years, along with the launch of over 200 large sports facilities and nearly 4,000 private sports clubs, is an effective result of the partnership between the state and the private sector. In particular, the doubling of the number of young people professionally engaged in sports, the twofold increase in Olympic team members, and the threefold increase in the Paralympic direction signify the growing interest in sports among the youth.

Results on the international stage manifest as the practical outcome of these efforts. In the past year alone, our athletes won 452 gold, 418 silver, and 501 bronze medals, and more than 50 of our athletes broke World and Asian records—this is a source of pride not only for the athletes but for our entire nation. These results are elevating Uzbekistan's prestige in the sports arena to a new level.

Special attention was also paid to system management issues. Today, 26 Olympic sports federations are headed by ministers and leaders of large organizations, and in the regions, regional governors (khokims) have been designated as responsible representatives of the President—this indicates that the development of sports has become a priority direction of state policy. Nevertheless, the underutilization of the potential of 207 universities, 15 Olympic and Paralympic centers, 310 sports schools, and 16 sports boarding schools was criticized. This shows that there is still a gap between existing resources and the final results.

At the regional level, the Zarbdor district was specifically recognized as a positive example. In this district alone last year, 34,000 young people from 23 neighborhoods were involved in mass sports. Three new gyms specializing in table tennis, taekwondo, and volleyball were built. Furthermore, in cooperation with entrepreneurs, two indoor football fields and modern fitness clubs were established. As a result, the Zarbdor district reached the level of hosting a national championship for the first time. Similarly, the construction of sports facilities worth 60 billion soums by 14 entrepreneurs in the Kashkadarya region shows the active participation of the private sector in this process. However, such results are not observed in all regions. In some districts, sluggish work in involving the population in mass sports, the indifference of leaders, and a lack of initiative were sharply criticized. This proves once again that sports development is closely linked not only to central decisions but also to the activities of responsible officials on the ground.

CONCLUSION
All the information above shows that a solid foundation for the development of sports has been created in Uzbekistan. Infrastructure is expanding, youth coverage is increasing, and international results are improving. However, the main focus must now shift from quantity to quality. It is crucial to achieve high efficiency by effectively using existing sports facilities, increasing the qualifications of coaches, and strengthening the activities of sports schools and federations.

Ensuring balanced development across regions remains a pressing issue. The Zarbdor experience shows that if there is initiative, cooperation, and a clear plan on the ground, great results can be achieved in a short time. Therefore, the development of sports must be organized based on a clear system at the level of every region, district, and neighborhood.

In the future, by developing sports not only in professional directions but also on a mass scale, a healthy society can be built. Because sport is not just a victory—it is a symbol of a healthy generation, a strong will, and a nation striving toward lofty goals.

Nargiza Khakimova Supkhonovna Vice-Dean for Youth Affairs and Spiritual-Educational Work, Faculty of Preschool and Primary Education (PhD), Associate Professor