Tashkent will host the 4th Asian Youth Games in 2029. This decision was made at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) held in Bahrain.
The official announcement regarding the right to hold this multi-sport event was made at the closing ceremony of the 3rd Asian Youth Games. Thus, in four years, Tashkent will become a center attracting the continent’s leading young athletes.
At the ceremony, the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia was ceremoniously handed over to the representatives of Uzbekistan. The official Uzbek delegation included Deputy Minister of Sport Shakhrullo Makhmudov and Deputy Mayor of Tashkent Durdona Rakhimova.
This symbolic relay was given to First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Otabek Umarov, as the next host of the games. Initially, Tashkent was supposed to host the 3rd Asian Youth Games in 2025.
However, due to the construction schedule of the Olympic Village, the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan informed the OCA that it would not be possible to host the competitions within the set timeframe, resulting in the games being moved to Bahrain. At the 3rd Asian Youth Games held in Bahrain, the Uzbekistan team achieved a historic result.
The national team won a total of 81 medals, including 37 gold, 16 silver, and 28 bronze medals. This achievement placed Uzbekistan second overall after China in the team standings.
For comparison, at the first Asian Youth Games, Uzbek athletes won three bronze medals, while in the second games they earned one gold, two silver, and three bronze medals. The high results in Bahrain indicate the development of youth sports in the country and the great potential of young athletes.
The holding of the 4th Asian Youth Games in Tashkent is expected to give a new impetus to the further improvement of sports infrastructure and the popularization of the Olympic movement in the country.
