This year on the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the Asian Hockey Federation highlights the excellent development initiatives and remarkable progress made, despite the challenges of COVID-19, in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan in the recent years has increased its participation in International and Continental Events for both Men and Women while also participating in the most recent edition of the Men’s and Women’s Indoor Asia Cup. Uzbekistan Men’s Team is currently ranked 55th in the World while in Asia they are ranked as the 14th team, whereas; for Women, their current World Ranking is 66th while in Asia they are ranked 15th. Uzbekistan’s Indoor ranking for Men in the world is 22nd while in Asia they are the 3rd best team. The Indoor Women’s Team is ranked 37th in the world and are also ranked 3rd in Asia.
To improve their rankings and for building a solid foundation for the future Uzbekistan combining with AHF successfully installed a brand-new hockey pitch in Andijan and renovated the entire stadium to increase hockey activities while also utilizing modern infrastructure. Furthermore, Uzbekistan will be hosting the Women’s AHF Cup and Men’s Central Asia Cup in 2021. Uzbekistan has also successfully won the bid for the Youth Asian Games Tashkent 2025 and for this reason the first venue for the hockey pitch Youth Asian Games has been decided inline with the 2025 Vision of Uzbekistan and the President of the Country Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Uzbekistan utilizes AHF Facilities and Training Centers in Lahore Pakistan and AHF Raja Ashman Shah Academy annually for their training camps which helps them in their preparation in continental and international events.
Uzbekistan has also been working closely with AHF and within the region to promote Hockey 5s in Uzbekistan and in the region. With many Hockey 5s activities taking place in Uzbekistan already.
Uzbekistan has been an important stakeholder in the AHF Development Through Distance Initiative acquiring exclusive workshops for their Coaches, Umpires and Officials during COVID-19, while also working closely for the improvement in their Educational Pathway in the long run.
AHF Uzbekistan Andijan Pitch Project
The AHF in conjunction with the Uzbekistan Hockey Federation, installed a brand-new hockey pitch in the Andijan Region of Uzbekistan.
The aim for this stadium is to develop it as a hub for Central Asian Activities, such as international and domestic events, training camps, events and other development activities.
The completion of such a massive and important project has allowed us to think beyond and realize Uzbekistan as one of the most important federations and help youth development, training programs and most importantly hockey in the country grow.
The next steps includes improving the already existing infrastructure and technology within the stadium, with one of the priorities being upgrading the lighting of the stadium.
Some Activities on the Andijan Pitch Include:
- Regional 2019 Central Hockey Tournament Andijan, Uzbekistan 2019
- Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan Test Match Series Andijan 2019
- Regional Hockey Training Camp Andijan 2019
- Youth Competition Boys & Girls November 2019
- Uzbekistan Youth Training Camp Boys & Girls 2019
- Uzbekistan Youth National Championship Boys & Girls 2020
- Youth Training Camp in Andijan 2020
- National Championship U21 Men’s & Women’s 2020
- Boys & Girls Youth U18 National Championship Andijan 2020
- Boys & Girls Youth U16 National Championship in Andijan Boys & Girls 2020
- Boys & Girls Youth U14 National Championship in Andijan Boys & Girls 2020
- Boys & Girls Youth U12 National Championship in Andijan Boys & Girls 2020
- Men & Women Indoor Hockey Championship Andijan 2020
- Boys & Girls Indoor Hockey Championship Andijan 2020
AHF Tashkent Pitch Project
Inaugurated on the 30th of December, 2020, the Tashkent pitch will be the official venue for the 2025 Youth Asian Games. This project would be under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports, Uzbekistan, the National Olympic Committee, Asian Hockey Federation and Uzbekistan Hockey Federation and will be completed by 2021.
The first venue for a pitch for the Youth Asian Games 2025 has been decided in line with the vision 2025 of the President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This event marks the completion of the first milestone for the President’s vision.
This stadium will become a High-Performance Center for Uzbekistan, Central Asia, and Asian Hockey.
Uzbekistan National & Regional Development Assistance Project
The Uzbekistan National & Regional Development Assistance Project – Road to development emphasizes on the development of Hockey on a national and regional level. The focus for this project is to mirror the strategy and activities proposed in Uzbekistan Hockey Federation Strategic & Development Plan: Vision 2028.
The area of focus is developing new infrastructure and improve hockey playing conditions, development of Athletes, Youth Development Model, Technical Work Force, Making Uzbekistan the hub of all hockey activities in Central Asia mainly through the new stadium in Andijan Uzbekistan and improving the organizational structure and management of resources.
Major features under this project include:
- Infrastructure:
o Installation of new Hockey Pitch in Andijan, Uzbekistan
o Renovation of the Stadium in Andijan, Uzbekistan
o Building hostel within stadium premises in Andijan, Uzbekistan
- Development & Education Activities:
o Coach Education Programs
o Youth Development and High-Performance Training base in Central Asia
o Youth Development and High-Performance Competitions for Central Asia
This Project is split into seven different programs covering specific hockey development activities
- Athletes
- Coaches / Umpires / Technical officials / Management
- Olympic Sport Hockey Hub for Central Asia
- Educational Courses and Seminars
- Youth Training Camp/ National Team Training Camp
- Youth Promoters Festival /Regional Competition – (Central Asia)
- Facilities and Equipment Support
Hockey in Uzbekistan: Preparation for the Youth Asian Games 2025
In preparation for the Youth Asian Games 2025, the Uzbekistan Hockey Federation has planned and initiated several Junior level tournaments in order to keep the athletes in form.
Some of these tournaments include:
- Boys & Girls Youth U18 National Championship Andijan 2020
- Boys & Girls Youth U16 National Championship in Andijan Boys & Girls 2020
- Boys & Girls Youth U14 National Championship in Andijan Boys & Girls 2020
- Boys & Girls Youth U12 National Championship in Andijan Boys & Girls 2020
- 1st and 2nd Round of Men & Women Youth Championship 2021
On this occasion, Asian Hockey Federation Chief Executive / General Secretary, Dato Tayyab Ikram had this to say: “I am extremely pleased to see the remarkable achievements made in Uzbekistan even despite the huge setbacks put forward by the global pandemic. It is indeed an inspiring story and of hope when one is desperately required. Uzbekistan is a very important stakeholder for the Asian Hockey Federation, and we wish to keep on working collectively to achieve the set objectives.”
Further, President Uzbekistan Hockey Federation and Executive Board Member AHF, Bakhodir Akhmedov had this to say: “I hereby declare my sincerest appreciation for the efforts committed by the Asian Hockey Federation in developing the infrastructure, education pathway, development of hockey and the human resources in Uzbekistan. Even despite the global challenge of the pandemic, the AHF has not forgotten us and to me this is something remarkable. The AHF is our long-term partner and we have set our KPIs that we wish to achieve with the support of AHF.”
