On the eve of the 2024 Olympics, a meeting of representatives of the NOCs of Central Asian countries was held in Paris. The meeting brought together the presidents and secretaries general of the NOC of the OCA zone in Central Asia, which includes Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Turkmenistan was represented by Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee Ata Akmammedov and Chairman of the State Committee for Physical Education and Sports Allaberdy Saparov.

During the event, there were discussed issues related to interaction in the region. One of the main points of the meeting was the consideration of the topic of reviving the Central Asian Games, which have not been held since 2005. In particular, one of the proposals concerned reducing the types of sports in the competition program to 10-12 Olympic types, establishing the age category of participants - 14-18 years, which would allow the reserves of national teams to progress.

Both representatives of the IOC and the OCA gave their recommendations on the competition regulations, noting their readiness to support the initiatives of the Central Asian countries, including within the framework of the Olympic Solidarity Program.

Member of the International Olympic Committee and Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh, IOC Director of NOC Relations, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism 365 James McLeod, IOC Deputy Director Olivier Niamki and Edward Kensington, Coordinator of the IOC Olympic Solidarity Program for Asia and other high-ranking officials from international sports structures participated in the meeting.

"Thank you very much for the invitation. I am glad that your entire region has come together. And I am pleased to meet you here in Paris. I can note that we are like one family, working together for common interests. What you are doing now, putting forward initiative proposals – all this unites on the path to achieving goals, Raja Randhir Singh said. - I remember in 1995 the first Central Asian Games were held in Uzbekistan. The IOC took part in their organization. It was a great success then. And I am very glad that you are raising the issue of reviving these competitions. It is very important to hold territorial Games. This gives additional impetus to the development of the entire region."

“I am confident that the IOC will support all your initiatives that are aimed exclusively at the progress and development of sports in Central Asia,” the President of the Olympic Council of Asia added.

“Whether the meeting will result in initiatives such as the Central Asian Games is up to you to decide. However, you must remember that the IOC will support you and your athletes. We are very fortunate that we were able to announce an increase in funding as part of the Olympic Solidarity. As you know, part of these funds can also be used to support such initiatives,” IOC Director James McLeod said, wishing the NOC leaders good luck at the Games in Paris.

In addition, the meeting discussed the upcoming General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia and the elections scheduled during its holding.

Representatives of the NOCs of Central Asian countries agreed to hold such meetings on continuing basis and work together to strengthen the sporting influence of the region.

Next time, the leaders of Central Asian sports organizations plan to meet at the end of September in Kyrgyzstan, in Issyk-Kul.

ORIENT news