FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT HELD IN KULOB IN HONOR OF WORLD FOOTBALL DAY

In order to promote a healthy lifestyle, encourage football among employees of state institutions and organizations, strengthen friendly relations, and identify talented athletes, a mini-football tournament dedicated to World Football Day was held in Kulob.

It was noted that the adoption by the United Nations of the proposal by Rustam Emomali, President of the Central Asian Football Association, to establish World Football Day became an important historical event. The celebration of this day symbolizes recognition of the international initiatives of the Republic of Tajikistan and appreciation of football as the world’s most popular sport.

It was also emphasized that the official celebration of World Football Day is an important occasion for millions of football players, coaches, sports professionals, and football fans around the world. The selection of May 25 as World Football Day is symbolic, as exactly 100 years ago, in 1924, the first international football tournament involving representatives from different regions of the world was held during the Paris Olympic Games.

To mark this occasion, a mini-football tournament among teams representing the executive authority of Kulob city and local organizations was launched at the newly built sports ground of the Operational Group of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan in Khatlon Region.

Before the start of the competition, youth boys’ and girls’ teams were honored with sports equipment and commemorative gifts. During the opening ceremony, representatives of the executive authorities delivered speeches highlighting the importance of sports development, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and supporting international football initiatives.

It was reported that 14 teams composed of employees of law enforcement agencies and other state institutions are participating in the tournament. The main goal of the competition is to promote mass participation in sports and further develop mini-football.

In the opening match, the team of the executive authority of Kulob city competed against the team of the Operational Group of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan in Khatlon Region.

According to the chief referee, the teams were divided into two groups, and the matches are being held daily after working hours. The first match ended with the victory of the Operational Group of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan in Khatlon Region team.

The remaining matches of the tournament will continue in the coming days, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals to compete for the tournament cup.