Sports digest

As 2024 approaches, Uzbek sports is wrapping up a year marked by excitement, observation, and significant changes. Sports organizations are busy honoring athletes and teams that have made a positive impact throughout the year, awarding them and presenting their annual reports to the public. Key developments include the establishment of a minimum salary for professional footballers in Uzbekistan and the announcement that betting activities will be allowed in the country. Additionally, the market value of prominent athletes like Abdukodir Khusanov and Abbosbek Fayzullaev has increased, reflecting their growing prominence.

With these changes in mind, here’s a summary of this year’s developments in Uzbek sports.

Uzbekistan allow betting

On December 6, the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution to implement measures based on the Presidential Decree, “On Measures to Improve the Regulation of Lotteries and Games Based on Risk.” This decree aims to establish a legal framework for betting activities, which will be regulated more thoroughly starting in 2024.

In line with this, a unified state register of betting activities has been introduced. The register will contain important details, including player information, activity restrictions, and limits on the amount of money that can be spent. It will also monitor financial transactions related to betting.

Licensing Requirements:
- The authorized capital for a betting organizer must be at least 150,000 times the minimum wage, which amounts to 56.25 billion sums.
- A lottery organizer must have an authorized capital of 55,000 times the minimum wage, totaling 20.625 billion sums.
- A fee of 500 BCA (about 187.5 million sums) is required for applying for a license to operate betting activities, with a 50% fee for license changes.
- Lottery organizers must transfer 0.1% of their game volume to the licensing organization.

These regulations will take effect once the necessary amendments are made to the Law “On Licensing, Permitting, and Notification Procedures,” ensuring proper licensing for the betting industry.

UzPFL sets minimum salary for players

The Professional Football League of Uzbekistan (UzPFL) has introduced a minimum salary for players registered in the league. The new salary is set at 5 million 775 thousand sums per player. This move comes after an analysis of the football industry, highlighting the increasing salaries in professional clubs but also pointing out the challenges young players face with low wages. Players earning the minimum salary often struggle to cover their monthly expenses.

To address this issue, the UzPFL, together with the Footballers' Union of Uzbekistan, presented a proposal to the Football Association of Uzbekistan. Until a unanimous decision is reached, the league has decided not to register contracts that pay less than five times the minimum wage.

Moreover, the "Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Football Players" are undergoing significant revisions. Changes will address the status of professional footballers, training compensation, and related matters, which will be submitted to FIFA for approval.

Uzbekistan becomes the 3rd most expensive team in Asia

The Uzbekistan national football team has made a major leap in value, becoming the 3rd most expensive team in Asia, according to Transfermarkt. This is due to the significant rise in transfer prices of star players like Abdukodir Khusanov and Abbosbek Fayzullaev.

Currently, the value of the Uzbekistan national team stands at 48.1 million euros, surpassing Iran’s team, which is valued at 47.9 million euros. The most expensive team in Asia is Japan, with a total value of 289 million euros, followed by South Korea, valued at 163.8 million euros.

These developments highlight Uzbekistan's growing prominence in Asian football, with an increase in player value and improving overall standards in the sport.

Uzbek boxer was stripped of Asian championship title for biting opponent

Uzbek boxer Khavasbek Asadullaev, who recently won the gold medal in the -71 kg weight category at the Asian Senior Boxing Championship in Thailand, was disqualified for a violation of the rules of the fight, despite defeating his Kazakh opponent in the final. The Asian Boxing Confederation reported this.

As it turned out, Asadullaev, who fought against Ablaykhon Jusupov, committed an act classified under clause 21.1.8 of the IBA rules of the game, that is, the Uzbek boxer bit his opponent in one of the episodes, which was ignored by the referee.

The Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, however, protested the incident and sent a letter to the Asian Boxing Confederation, and the organization positively resolved the objection of the Kazakh side.

Following a protest from the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, the Asian Championship technical representative Sadi Duffy decided to disqualify Asadullaev for serious misconduct in the fight.

It is not known how long the ban imposed on Asadullaev will be in effect.

According to clause 19.8.1 of the boxing rules, if a boxer is disqualified for any reason, his opponent is declared the winner of the fight.

After Asadullaev's disqualification, the interim president of the confederation, Aziz KoJambetov, announced that Kazakhstan's Ablaykhon Jusupov was the winner in the 71 kg weight category.

Thus, the number of medals won by the Uzbekistan men's boxing team at the Asian Championship decreased by 1, and the number of gold medals dropped to 7.