Uzbekistan and Qatar NOCs hold talks on strengthening sporting ties

The continued cooperation in sports between Uzbekistan and Qatar was the main topic of discussions during a series of meetings held this week between Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and top Uzbek sports officials.

Dr. Thani Al Kuwari, on a visit to Uzbekistan, first met with the Minister of Youth Policy and Sports, Adham Ikramov, and Uzbekistan NOC Vice President Otabek Umarov. Also present at this meeting was Qatar Ambassador to Uzbekistan Hasan Hamza Hashim, Deputy Sports Minister Shahrullo Mahmudov and NOC Vice President Azizjon Kamilov.

This meeting was followed by another meeting at the NOC Headquarters in Tashkent where the honoured guest was received by NOC Secretary General Oybek Kasimov.

In the course of both meetings, talks centred on the strengthening of sporting ties between the two countries, raising the existing relationship between the two NOCs to a higher level and how Uzbekistan was preparing to host the  Asian Youth Games 2025 in Tashkent.

Organising more sports training camps between national teams of the two countries, building modern sports facilities and exchanging sporting experiences were also discussed.

With an eye on the Asian Youth Games 2025, Uzbekistan NOC Vice President Umarov suggested that his country could gain many lessons from Qatar who in recent years have hosted many international events, including the FIFA World Cup 2022, and is due to host the Asian Games in 2030.

Dr. Thani Al Kuwari, in his turn, said Qatar could draw on valuable experience from Uzbekistan in the field of martial arts, and suggested closer cooperation in this area.