Our partners in Uzbekistan organized a football match to promote health, team spirit, and social inclusion.
The Samarkand Regional Center for the Fight against AIDS and doctors from the NGO Center “Nurbonu” recently organized a football match for. The match brought together health workers, members of civil society and youth. This event was not just about playing a sport—it aimed to bring people together, build team spirit, and encourage a healthy lifestyle. The goal was to strengthen teamwork, improve health, build connections and show how regular physical activity can make life better. Sports like football help people stay fit, build stronger bodies, and improve mood and energy levels.
Football is more than just a popular game. It helps develop strength, coordination, and endurance. It also supports heart health and builds strong muscles. Playing as a team teaches cooperation and lifts people’s spirits, making it a great way to support both physical and mental well-being.
This activity also supports the government’s focus on healthy living. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s Decree UP-6099, issued on October 20, 2020, talks about the need for a healthy lifestyle and more people taking part in sports. The decree mentions how the COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that poor health can lead to serious problems and highlights the importance of eating well, being active, and avoiding harmful habits. As stated in the decree:
“The current situation calls on all of us to draw conclusions, give up bad habits, regularly take part in mass sports, and follow the rules of healthy eating and living.” This football match is one way to put those ideas into action.
The event took place as part of the project “Empowering voices for inclusive development: strengthening civil society organizations (CSOs) in Uzbekistan, focusing on women and youth”, financially supported by the European Union. Through this project, AFEW and its partners aim to enhance the capacities of 15 local CSOs in Uzbekistan, which are dedicated to assisting people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those affected by HIV, with a particular emphasis on women and youth. The objective is to mitigate stigma and discrimination against individuals with HIV and those affected by it using a unique Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach.
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents are the sole responsibility of Nurbonu and AFEW International and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
