Athletes who performed heroism in Konya were solemnly welcomed 

On 19 August, at the Tashkent International airport, named after Islam Karimov, athletes who have duly defended the honor of Uzbekistan at the V Islamic Solidarity Games held in Konya, Turkey were solemnly welcomed.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Minister of Sports Development Adham Ikromov, Presidential advisor on Youth, Science, Education, Health and Sports Abdujabbor Abduvokhidov, the president’s press secretary Sherzod Asadov, vice-president of National Olympic Committee Salim Abduvaliyev, journalists, and members of the public.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Sherzod Asadov read out the congratulatory message from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the presidential decision “On awarding the winners of the V Islamic Unity Games in Konya and their coaches with one-time cash prizes”.

After that, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov said that the historic victory at the Islamic Unity Games is the result of the special attention and care of the president of Uzbekistan concerning sports.

“Second place at the Islamic Solidarity Games is a big victory.  As the president said, only sportsmen who love their country, who live faithful to their people and homeland can win.  Of course, your victory was a wonderful gift to the multi-ethnic people of Uzbekistan on the 31st anniversary of independence.  This victory was not easy.  I have to say that for the last 6 years, as a result of the attention, care, and conditions created by our esteemed president, we took second place in the Islamic Solidarity Games, one of the most important complex competitions”, - Aripov said.

The Head of government also noted that the victories at the Islamic Solidarity Games were encouraging steps taken before the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

In turn, among the athletes, Muzaffar Turaboyev, the winner of the judo competition, and Sharifa Davronova, the champion in athletics, on behalf of the coaches, the head coach of the Uzbekistan national weightlifting team, Bahrom Mendiboyev spoke in the ceremony.  They pointed out that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the state's attention to sports were at the root of these victories, and promised to protect the honor of Uzbekistan in the international arena, justifying the trust expressed in the future.

For reference, Uzbek athletes won 51 gold, 42 silver and 65 bronze medals at the Islamic Solidarity Games.  In the end, the delegation of Uzbekistan, which collected a total of 158 medals, took the second place in the ranking.