On September 12, a send-off ceremony for Uzbekistan's sports delegation to the XX Summer Asian Games and V Summer Para Asian Games in Japan was held at the Olympic and Paralympic Glory Museum in Tashkent. The solemn event was attended by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Minister of Sports Adham Ikramov, First Deputy Director of the National Social Protection Agency Shahnoza Mirziyoyeva, First Deputy Chairman of the National Olympic Committee Otabek Umarov, Chairman of the National Paralympic Committee Mukhtorkhon Toshkhodjayev, and others.
In September-October, the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Summer Asian and Para Asian Games will be held in the Japanese cities of Aichi and Nagoya, with a total of 549 athletes from Uzbekistan participating. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov handed the state flag to the flag bearers of Uzbekistan's delegation — medalist of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and three-time world champion in weightlifting Akbar Djuraev, and absolute winner of the 2026 World Para Cycling Championships Marjona Pardobayeva.
In his speech, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov emphasized that preparations for these competitions were more serious than ever. He noted that the historic results at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games demonstrated the potential of Uzbek sports to the whole world. "Behind you stand our native people, our Motherland, and personally respected President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Therefore, we hope that you will once again demonstrate to the whole world what the children of New Uzbekistan are capable of," said the head of government.
He recalled that at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Uzbek athletes won 22 gold, 18 silver, and 31 bronze medals, taking fifth place in the overall team standings. Abdulla Aripov emphasized that the time has come to further improve this result and conquer new milestones. He said that every medal won by athletes is the honor of the Motherland, and every victory is a great joy for the people. The Prime Minister stated that all necessary conditions are being created for athletes and coaches to fully demonstrate their talent and potential in Japan. "We believe that you will raise the flag of Uzbekistan higher than ever and return to our country with grand victories," said Aripov.
The XX Summer Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4 in the Japanese cities of Aichi and Nagoya. Uzbekistan's delegation will participate in 42 sports. Of these, 36 are Olympic and 6 are non-Olympic sports. 396 athletes will defend the country's honor. Of these, 224 are men and 172 are women. Uzbekistan's delegation will participate for the first time in the Asian Games in beach volleyball, volleyball, sailing, squash, and MMA. During the competitions, quotas for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games will be contested in a number of sports. In particular, competitions for Olympic licenses will be held in archery, field hockey, tennis, surfing, triathlon, and squash.
The V Summer Para Asian Games will be held from October 18 to 24. Uzbekistan's delegation will participate in competitions in 11 sports with 153 athletes. Of these, 79 are women and 74 are men. Uzbek para-athletes will participate for the first time in the history of the Para Asian Games in para fencing, para boxing, and para archery. Also, direct quotas for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games will be contested in para shooting. Thus, a total of 549 athletes from Uzbekistan will participate in the Asian and Para Asian Games.
Source: www.gazeta.uz