Following the 19th Summer Asian Games in Hangzhou (China) in 2022, where the Uzbekistan delegation achieved its best historical results in terms of the quantity and quality of medals, attention is now focused on the upcoming 20th Summer Asian Games to be held in Japan.
Currently, the Ministry of Sport, the National Olympic Committee, and relevant sports federations are taking necessary measures to achieve worthy results at the 20th Summer Asian Games, which will take place in the cities of Aichi and Nagoya (Japan) from September 19 to October 4 of this year. Training camps are being organized for national teams, and analytical work and monitoring are being conducted with the participation of experts and specialists.
The Ministry of Sport, the National Olympic Committee, and the federations for wrestling, martial arts, mixed martial arts, and other sports have analyzed the preparation processes carried out jointly with the heads of these federations. During discussions, issues regarding the physical and psychological preparation of athletes for prestigious international competitions, as well as the effective organization of training camps, were reviewed.
Reports from responsible persons on the preparatory activities being conducted were heard at the meeting. Recommendations were put forward to improve the activities of coaches and strengthen the selection system. Following the discussion, the heads of the sports federations were instructed to timely and qualitatively fulfill the assigned tasks, increase the performance of athletes on the international stage, and ensure worthy participation in future Asian Games.
Previously, at the Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018, the country's athletes won 20 gold, 24 silver, and 25 bronze medals. In 2022, the figures improved: 22 gold, 18 silver, and 31 bronze medals were won. According to the author, the large-scale reforms being implemented in the country in the field of updating sports infrastructure, developing mass sports, and preparing qualified athletes indicate that 'Aichi-Nagoya-2026' will mark the beginning of new successes in the country's sporting history.
Nevertheless, in major sports, success in intense competitions against the strongest teams from giant countries depends not only on adequate preparation but also on luck. The author expresses hope that the athletes and national teams, oriented towards 'battles' at the Asian Games, will always have open doors to success.
Information circulating widely on social media suggested that three members of one family in the village of Varganza, Kitobsky District, Karadaryinsky Region, had fallen ill, with one fatality. This led to a serious deterioration of the situation in the district and even restrictions on access to the village. Some spread warnings advising tourists not to visit Varganza. However, our correspondent visited the location and spoke with local residents, officials, and medical workers to verify these claims.
The investigation began with conversations with the relatives of the deceased, Khadicha Ergasheva. According to her sister, Zamira Ergasheva, her sister previously suffered from high blood pressure and was paralyzed after a stroke. She stated that doctors considered the possibility of plague after learning that her daughter had touched a marmot.
Zamira Ergasheva emphasized that her sister ate and drank water until the last days, and they observed no signs of plague. She added that the unfounded rumors were yet another heavy blow to their family.
The head of the village, Hakim Mirzaev, categorically denied reports of entry bans to the settlement. He stated that no quarantine measures or restrictions have been introduced in the area, and life in the village continues as usual, accepting tourists. The village head noted that if plague were officially confirmed, no one would be allowed in, and reminded that about two thousand people attended the deceased's funeral.
He also highlighted that due to the mountainous location, regular preventive work against wild animals such as marmots and brown bears is conducted, which is why the issue of plague was considered.
Makhmud Uzokov, director of the 4th Polyclinic of the Kitobsky District, who was identified as the author of the most widespread audio recording, also commented on the situation. According to him, the audio message was sent not to the public but to medical staff as an internal service directive. He clarified that it was related to a meeting on infectious diseases aimed at raising staff awareness. Uzokov stated that it mentioned not only plague but also botulism and intestinal infections, and that the goal was not to create panic among the population.
Anvar Hasanov, head of the healthcare department of the Kitobsky District, reported that the deceased sought hospital care on July 10 due to high blood pressure. During the consultation, she mentioned contact with a marmot a month prior, which raised suspicions among doctors regarding a dangerous infection. However, the patient died within a day, and a forensic medical examination has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
For preventative purposes, the family members underwent medical examinations and were vaccinated. Anvar Hasanov assured that they currently show no signs of plague, and the epidemiological situation in the district is stable. He stressed that plague has not been officially registered, and some medical workers intensified preventive measures based on potential risk, but this information was misinterpreted on social media, causing panic. The department head apologized to the public for the inconvenience and stated that explanatory talks are being held with employees.
Following the wave of online discussion, specialists from the Viloyatsk Emergency Service also conducted an inspection in the village of Varganza. According to the head of the service, Lieutenant Colonel Erkin Orzikulov, no emergency epidemiological situation has been detected. He reported that site visits and conversations with residents were conducted, and no emergency circumstances are observed; the situation is under full control, and plague is not registered, while all preventive measures are being implemented.
In conclusion, the situation in the Kitobsky District demonstrated how quickly and easily inaccurate information spread on social media can cause public panic. At present, according to official data, the epidemiological situation in Varganza village is not related to plague, no quarantine has been imposed, and life continues normally. The exact cause of death will be determined after the forensic medical examination. The journalistic investigation showed that the leak of internal service information about potential risk led to various assumptions and rumors on social media, so it is recommended to rely on information confirmed by official sources.
The entrance exams were conducted to select talented youth, objectively assess their intellectual potential, and open up broad avenues in modern education. This task is one of the priorities in the country's educational policy.
Test assessments were organized at the branch of the Muhammad al-Khwarizmi Specialized School in the Syrdarya region in accordance with these principles for admitting students for the 2026–2027 academic year. The admission processes, which took place simultaneously across the republic, were also carried out at a high level in the Syrdarya region.
Candidates took tests in mathematics and English. The exams were organized in several locations: at the district unit of the Agency for Knowledge and Ability Assessment, in the hall of individual competitions of the Guliston Center for Training for Olympic and Paralympic Sports, at the specialized gymnastics school, and in the buildings of the Muhammad al-Khwarizmi Specialized School branch in Guliston.
This year, 3633 students participated in the admissions campaign. Safety, order, and objective assessment requirements were fully provided for them. All classrooms were equipped with the necessary technical means, ensuring equal opportunities for every candidate. This has become an important aspect of the admission system aimed at prioritizing knowledge and abilities over any other factors.
To ensure the openness of the examination process, parents were given the opportunity to monitor their children's participation in the testing online. This not only guaranteed transparency but also strengthened confidence in the admissions campaign.
According to specialists, in addition to subject knowledge, candidates are assessed on their ability for logical thinking and intellectual potential. Therefore, the admission process to specialized schools plays a key role in identifying young people who will become highly qualified specialists in science and digital technologies in the future.
According to available information, three classes were created for the 5th grade at the Guliston branch, with 24 students admitted to each, totaling only 72 people. This means that about 51 candidates competed for one spot. The high competition clearly demonstrates the growing authority of this educational institution, the quality of education, and the interest in the opportunities it provides.
Following the tests, the most suitable, knowledgeable, and talented candidates will be accepted into the Muhammad al-Khwarizmi Specialized School branch.
A meeting of representatives from the Youth Parliament and leaders took place at the Institute of Central Asia in Tashkent. The event focused on discussing the role of youth in foreign policy processes, regional cooperation, and integration.
At the conference, the institute's director, Javlon Vakhabov, held a discussion with the most active young people in the country regarding future directions for cooperation. Special attention was paid to supporting youth initiatives, broadly involving young specialists in scientific and analytical and expert activities, as well as implementing joint projects.
During the meetings, current issues concerning the Youth Parliament were raised, and focus was placed on developing new proposals to solve existing difficulties. Opinions were also shared regarding the opportunities available to youth, their participation in foreign policy, and their significance in the development of integration processes in the region.
According to Samandar Ismoilov, a deputy of the People's Council of the Olmazor district and a leading researcher at MOHI, new ideas and approaches from youth can be transformed into analytical materials, contributing to advancing the initiatives of state leaders to a new stage. He noted that the policy pursued by the leadership of Uzbekistan in recent years is aimed at strengthening Central Asia's position in the world, and youth proposals serve to deepen socio-economic integration.
Upon conclusion of the meeting, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between MOHI and the Youth Parliament. This document provides for the involvement of youth in scientific and analytical work, enhancing their political, economic, and social awareness, as well as developing new proposals and recommendations for the integration of Central Asian states.
