In the courtyard of house No. 60 in the Yunus Rajabi mahalla of Yakkasaray district, sports music plays, the referee's whistle cuts through the air, and the noise of fans and spectators is heard. Some sit on chairs and benches brought out by residents of nearby houses, while others have comfortably settled on the ground. On the football field, recently saved from construction through a court ruling, the hosts — team "Yu. Rajabi" — are welcoming guests from Mirzo Ulugbek, Yunusabad, and Yashnabad districts. The athletes are 10–12 years old.
This is the second children's tournament organized by the Tashkent Football Association in the Yunus Rajabi mahalla on the occasion of International Children's Day. The first tournament was held in 2023 as a campaign to protect the football field and draw public attention to the reduction in the number of football fields in residential areas.
In May, the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan upheld a decision in favor of the mahalla residents, canceling the permit for construction on this site. The fight against the construction company lasted four years.
"Today we are celebrating a long-awaited victory. Finally, at the place we call 'the reclaimed field,' children are playing football again, laughter is heard, and a tournament is being held. When you see all this, you understand that the long and hard struggle was not in vain," says activist Mukarram Bahromkhodjayeva, a resident of house No. 60.
The first match began on the field. The hosts in red jerseys with names faced a guest team from Yunusabad district. The "Yu. Rajabi" players confidently controlled the ball, appeared more often near the opponent's goal, and gave them almost no opportunity to organize an attack.
Children not in the starting lineup watched the game intently from the edge of the field. Spectators behind the mesh fence — parents of young footballers and residents of nearby houses — followed the match with equal interest. Every accurate pass and dangerous moment was met with applause and loud cheers. Shouts of "Well done!", "Pass!", "Shoot!" were heard from the sidelines. Sometimes fans even argued among themselves: was there a foul, did the ball cross the line, who should get the free kick?
Among the fans was Alisher Karimov, who lives in house No. 60. His 10-year-old son Karim was playing on the field. Alisher himself played football here as a child, so he joined other residents in fighting to protect the courtyard.
"I grew up in this yard. We children spent our entire childhood here on this football field. We participated in tournaments and often won. They gave us medals, gifted toys, and treated us to ice cream. It is a great joy for me to see that this tradition continues and that we managed to preserve the field," he said.
Elina Khaydarova from house No. 70 also came to support her 11-year-old son Askarali. Two older children in the family are into swimming, while the younger son became interested in football a few years ago and started regularly attending this field, where children from neighboring yards gather. According to the woman, it was then that she realized even more deeply how important it is to preserve such places for children.
"We are proud of the residents of our mahalla and very happy that we managed to save the field. We want this place to remain for children, so they can communicate, play sports, and have a full childhood. For us parents, it brings peace of mind that children play in their own yard, where everyone knows each other," she says.
According to Elina Khaydarova, the mahalla residents hope to officially register the land plot as a football field. If the field is transferred to the mahalla's balance and included in the register of football fields of the Tashkent Football Association, it will become possible to improve the area: lay turf, build changing rooms, install lighting, and create conditions for regular training.
Among those watching the tournament closely from the edge of the field was honored athlete, football coach, and Vice President of the Tashkent Football Association Azamat Abduraimov. He occasionally called players over, gave advice on defensive formations, and supported the excited children.
"As soon as the residents complete the paperwork, the Tashkent Football Association will take this field and the children under its patronage. We will help with training, hold games more often, and create conditions for systematic football practice. I am confident that among these children kicking the ball in the yard today, there will definitely be athletes who will worthily represent Uzbekistan at international championships, just like our current footballers," said Abduraimov.
While adults discussed the field's future, the tournament approached its final stage. In the decisive match, teams from Yakkasaray and Yashnabad districts faced off. The "Yu. Rajabi" team scored two consecutive goals to open the score. The opponents managed to equalize. The match was decided by a penalty shootout, and symbolically, victory went to the field's hosts.
After the tournament ended, all participants were awarded medals. Traditionally, footballers and fans were also treated to ice cream.
Source: www.gazeta.uz