Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Feb. 28 / Trend D.Azizov /
"Children's sports plays an immeasurably important role in achieving the great goal that we have set, which is to raise a harmoniously developed generation, to make our children a decisive force in society, and to ensure that Uzbekistan gains its rightful place among developed countries," Uzbek President Islam Karimov said at meeting of the Uzbek Children's Sport Fund's Board of Trustees.
The head of state spoke about the extensive work that has been carried out since the creation of the fund, which operates with the support of state agencies, industrial enterprises, NGOs and the general public, the Uzbek government's official website reported.
Thanks to the fund, the development of children's sports has become a powerful movement, Karimov said. He also touched upon the most important tasks that the fund faces in its activity.
Last year, the fund intended to accumulate UZS 111.1 billion and reached UZS 116.8 billion. Its foreign currency funds amounted to $1.72 million.
During 2008-2011, the accumulated funds increased by 55.9 percent, which indicates the increasing attention that sponsors pay to the development of children's sports in the country.
All these funds were used for their intended purpose - the construction and renovation of children's sports venues and facilities, swimming pools, and the equipment in sports facilities.
The funds were also used to ensure that children from families in need, especially girls, were provided with sports equipment and clothing.
The Children's Sports Development Fund and regional administrations actively cooperate in attracting girls and boys to sports. As a result of this work, 1.6 million students aged 6-15 regularly went in for sports in 2010. This figure currently stands at 34.5 percent versus 29.2 percent in 2008, while among girls it has increased from 24.1 to 30.9 percent.
The opening of regional gymnastics federations and centers has expanded the opportunities for girls to get involved in sports. As a result, the number of girls involved in rhythmic gymnastics has tripled in the past two years. The number of girls playing table tennis and swimming is also increasing.
Karimov also drew the attention to the need to find a special approach to attract girls to sports and to create the appropriate conditions for them to get involved, especially in rural areas.
"It is important because the girls who play sports today will instill a love of sports in their kids," Karimov said.
The Board of Trustees also considered the issue of equipping the children's sports facilities with the necessary equipment of domestic production.
Between 2003 and 2010, the Children's Sport Development Fund sponsored the equipment of 1,199 newly built children's sports facilities for UZS 18.91 billion.