Namangan, one of the republic's sports centers, regularly hosts large and prestigious competitions. Recently, as part of the 65th International 'Flowers' Festival, numerous international tournaments were held in sports such as Greco-Roman wrestling, Shotokan Karate-do, and Sambo.
An international hand-to-hand combat tournament, the 'President's Cup of the Republic of Uzbekistan,' was organized at the 'Garden of New Uzbekistan' amphitheater in the Davlatobod district among professional athletes. This prestigious competition was held as part of implementing the head of state's decision from June 20, 2022, 'On measures for the further development of the sport of hand-to-hand combat.'
The solemn opening ceremony of this significant event was attended by Bahodir Toshmatov, Chief of the National Guard of Uzbekistan, Colonel General, President of the Federation of Law Enforcement Officers' Hand-to-Hand Combat, and the Chairman of the Uzbekistan Shooting Federation. Also participating were Shavkat Abdurrazzakov, Governor of Namangan Region and member of the Senate of the Supreme Majlis, and Sergey Astakhov, President of the International Federation of Hand-to-Hand Combat.
It is emphasized that the reforms being carried out in New Uzbekistan in the field of physical culture and sports, the formation of a healthy lifestyle among youth, and the hosting of international competitions in the country demonstrate positive results. The modern sports infrastructure and the wide opportunities provided to athletes only in the Namangan region create a solid foundation for achieving high results on the world stage.
The 'President's Cup' international tournament, which has been held traditionally since 2017, gathers masters of sport recognized as world, continental, and national champions. Participants from Central Asia, CIS countries, and Europe competed in hand-to-hand combat. In this international tournament, the total prize fund amounted to 41,600 US dollars, and four ranking and two championship bouts took place. Among the opponents of Uzbek athletes were hand-to-hand combat masters from Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Moldova, Turkey, the People's Republic of China, and Romania.
In the first bout of the 67 kg weight category, featuring world champion and Cup holder, as well as Asian champion, Orif Normurodov, against two-time European champion and winner of the European MMA Championship, Romanian Alexander Stankeg, our athlete won against his continental opponent by technical knockout in the early rounds. Next, athletes in the 80 kg weight category entered the ring. In an interesting and tense match, our athlete, world cup holder and world champion Asadbek Hikmatov, gave his opponent, Russian Vladimir Tokov, a chance, but ultimately emerged victorious.
Competitions in the women's division also attracted the attention of spectators. In the 64 kg category, Uzbek champion and world cup holder Hilola Botirova managed to defeat Chinese champion Zhang Yuzhen. In the 70 kg category, our champion and world cup holder Nilufar Polvonova defeated her Kazakh opponent—Asian champion and world cup holder Arzuman Berkumbayeva. In the men's 73 kg weight category bout, where Azizxon Abdullaev, Cup holder and world champion, faced Moldovan Zmey Stefan, our athlete secured the victory.
In the final and main bout of the tournament, Bekzod Mukhammadov, champion and world cup holder, Asian champion, faced Turkish wrestler Shehzade Mahsun, winner of the Balkan Karate Championship. In this match, our athlete won by knockout.
The winners and all participants of the President's Cup were honored by the tournament organizers with diplomas, valuable prizes, and monetary awards. Such prestigious competitions undoubtedly contribute to the popularization of the sport of hand-to-hand combat, the exchange of experience between athletes, and the strengthening of sports cooperation between countries.
Information has emerged that Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, wishes to run for the post of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. These reports circulate after US President Donald Trump expressed interest in Infantino's candidacy.
However, even if Washington officially puts him forward as a candidate, this does not guarantee Infantino the most prestigious international diplomatic position. The reason is that the selection process at the UN is not decided solely by the will of one state.
The candidate must first receive approval from the UN Security Council. The permanent members of this body, who hold veto power—the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK—can halt the entire process. Therefore, to succeed, Infantino must gain the trust not only of America but also of other major geopolitical centers.
Several experienced diplomats and politicians are currently participating in this race. Among them are Michel Bachelet, former President of Chile; Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Macky Sall, former leader of Senegal, as well as candidates put forward by Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Guyana.
The second term of the current Secretary-General, António Guterres, expires at the end of this year. The Security Council will begin discussing the issue of a new leader at the end of July.
There are also several factors that could hinder the FIFA president. According to an unofficial tradition at the UN, leadership is distributed among representatives from various regions. Therefore, the probability that he will be re-elected as the representative of Europe after the Portuguese representative is assessed as low.
Furthermore, many countries are promoting the idea that it is time to elect the first female leader in the organization's history. Thus, even with official support from the US, Infantino is likely to face serious and intense political competition.
The Second Festival of Young Poets of the Turkic World took place in the cities of Shusha and Aghdam, Uzbekistan. This forum was organized with the assistance of the TURKSOY Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan as part of the traditional 'Vakif Poetry Days'.
At the main events held in the center of Aghdam, young poets from Turkic states presented samples of their work to the general public. The festival aims to strengthen dialogue among young creators, preserve the common heritage of Turkic peoples, and form a unified literary space for the Turkic world. It is planned to include the most brilliant poems from the festival in a special anthology.
Participants praised love for the Motherland, shared history, brotherhood, and spiritual unity of Turkic peoples in their works. Listeners were particularly interested in poems by Uzbek authors about the historical and cultural sites of their native country. Young poets also paid close attention to the legacy of great literary figures such as Alisher Navoi and Zakir ad-Din Muhammad Babur.
Delegations from the countries held meetings with representatives of brotherly nations, including the Writers' Union, as well as with representatives of Turkic states. During these discussions, the possibility of holding similar forums in Uzbekistan was discussed. At the solemn closing ceremony, participants were awarded official certificates and honorary diplomas from TURKSOY for their contribution to the development of Turkic world literature.
Overall, the Second Festival of Young Poets of the Turkic World is recognized as an important international platform for strengthening cultural and literary cooperation between brotherly peoples, providing constant support to young creators, and passing on the common spiritual heritage to future generations.
In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on adopting additional measures to support the production of finished goods in the leather and footwear industry and to increase export potential, a Directorate for Managing the Leather and Footwear Industrial Zone will be established in the form of a limited liability company.
Land plots belonging to the leather and footwear industrial zones located in the Okhangaron district of Tashkent region and the Sharikon district of Andijan region will be transferred to the Directorate under lease terms, and it will be tasked with managing these territories.
The sole founder of the Directorate is the Restoration and Development Fund, and the Directorate is managed based on a power of attorney from the Agency for Light Industry Development.
Funds amounting to 360 billion UZS will be allocated from the republican budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2026–2027 to build modern treatment facilities for leather and footwear industrial zones in the Okhangaron district of Tashkent region and enterprises for processing leather and wool in the Syrdarya district of the Syrdarya region.
Within two months, a target list for the modernization and construction of treatment facilities at leather processing enterprises in accordance with international standards will be formed, and proposals for financing these projects within the framework of the Republic of Uzbekistan's Program for the Development of Social and Production Infrastructure for 2026–2028 will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers.
To finance investment projects in the leather and footwear sector, participation in projects, and replenish working capital, $33 million USD has been allocated, according to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PQ-181 of May 20, 2024, on measures to promote the leather, silk, and carpet sectors. These funds are distributed as follows:
a) $10 million USD is directed to the Restoration and Development Fund to provide loans to enterprises through commercial banks during 2026–2027, with the condition that repayment to the Fund occurs by December 31, 2035. Loans are provided for investment projects for a term of 10 years, including a three-year grace period, at an annual rate of 5% (the margin of the Restoration and Development Fund is 3.5%, the bank's margin is 1.2%, and the Agency's expenses are 0.3%); as well as for replenishing working capital for up to 36 months at an annual rate of 3.5% (the margin of the Restoration and Development Fund is 2.5%, the bank's margin is 1.2%, and the Agency's expenses are 0.3%).
b) $23 million USD is directed to the Directorate's target fund for the construction of production buildings and structures upon request from entrepreneurs in the wool processing and leather and footwear manufacturing sectors, which will be sold to entrepreneurs in stages over 7 years according to a schedule agreed upon with the Directorate.
From July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029, the Directorate and the Directorate for Managing the Small Industrial Zone in the Oltingol district of Andijan region are exempt from paying profit tax, property tax, land tax, and water resource usage fees.
The Agency, together with the Uzbekistan-Korean Educational and Practical Textile Technopark, will regularly organize preparatory courses such as 'School of Designers-Pattern Makers', 'School of Marketers', and 'School of Technologists' for specialists, workers, masters, and artisans in the sector starting from October 1, 2026.
80 billion UZS will be allocated for 2026–2027 to provide external engineering and communication infrastructure (roads, water, electricity, and gas pipelines) to the leather and footwear industrial zones in the Okhangaron district of Tashkent region, the Sharikon district of Andijan region, and enterprises for processing wool and leather in the Syrdarya district of the Syrdarya region.
