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Uzbekistan’s Cricket Team: We’re Ready For International Matches

Supporters of Uzbek sport have had a lot to celebrate this year. The national football team currently sits at the top of its qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while eight of the country's athletes took gold at this summer's Paris Olympics. But next year Uzbekistan wants to enter the world stage in a more surprising sport: cricket. The Central Asian country joined the game's governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), in 2022. As an “Associate” ICC member there are hopes that the Uzbek squad will play its first international matches in 2025, in the Twenty20 (T20) version of the game. T20 games are much shorter than traditional five-day Test matches. The nation's rapid progress is due to Aziz Mihliev, the owner of Tashkent pharmaceutical company Anfa. Mihliev fell in love with the game while living in India, where cricket is the national sport. As the founder and chairman of the O’zbekiston Kriket Federatsiyasi (Uzbekistan Cricket Federation), Mihliev has created the Anfa Cricket Academy in the capital's Yunusobod district, where three practice pitches cover a school playground. The federation invites students at Tashkent’s sports colleges to the academy to try their hand at cricket. Many of the players picked to wear the red and dark blue striped jerseys of the new Anfa Cricket Club are also talented tennis players. Mihliev has also built a cricket ground outside the capital, towards the town of Chirchiq, where a game between Salar Stars and Ferghana Rangers will be played this Sunday. There are plans to turn an abandoned Soviet-era stadium outside Samarkand into Uzbek cricket's second home. Travelling to represent Uzbekistan at global ICC conferences, Mihliev speaks with the ambition of a man who now rubs shoulders with the most influential people in the sport. From one such trip he writes: "My ambition is to see an Uzbekistan national team play a Test match against the England team. And win, of course!" Over 4,000 Uzbeks now play the game regularly at schools and universities, from Tashkent in the north of the country to the southern Surkhandaryo region. Surkhandaryo borders Afghanistan, a passionate cricketing nation that reached the semi-finals of this year's men’s T20 World Cup. And it was to Afghanistan that Mihliev turned when recruiting a former international player to train his national team. Khaliq Dad Noori played a few games for Afghanistan at the beginning of the 2010s, when his own country was at the start of its journey to the top of world cricket. Noori coaches his players in the Pashto language, which his Uzbek students can understand. But cricket in Uzbekistan still has a local flavour. Hitting techniques come straight from games of chilla, an old pastime played with sticks. Bats are known as tuqmoq – the name of a wooden club that Uzbek warriors used to brandish. Although some of Uzbekistan’s best cricketers have only been playing for a year or two, judging by the talent on show during a practice session they would beat most...

Tourism

Uzbekistan Travel Tips from Professional Guide Eleonora Radjabova

Uzbekistan is increasingly attracting tourists from all over the world, eager to experience its rich cultural heritage, unique architecture and spectacular landscape. Eleonora Radjabova, a professional guide in Uzbekistan since 2007, spoke to TCA about her own favorite locations and provided tips on how to make the most of your trip to her country. [caption id="attachment_22627" align="aligncenter" width="720"] photo: elya.uz.guide - Eleonora Radjabova[/caption] TCA: What are your personal favorite places and activities in Uzbekistan? My favorite places and activities in Uzbekistan highlight the diversity and richness of the natural environment and cultural experiences my country has to offer. I especially love Bukhara for its ancient historical heritage and architectural masterpieces. Walking through the narrow streets and markets of this medieval city is a unique and immersive experience filled with dazzling, iconic monuments at every turn. [caption id="attachment_22628" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] photo: TCA -Bukhara[/caption] For those wishing a flavor of Uzbekistan’s landscape, I recommend Chimgan and Amirsoy, both within easy reach of Tashkent. Chimgan, set in the Ugam Chatkal National Park and 85 kilometers from the city, is perfect for an active vacation. Sometimes known as ‘Uzbek Switzerland’ with mountains rising to 3309m above sea level, Chimgan has facilities for various extreme sports. In winter, it operates as a ski-resort whilst in summer, paragliding provides an exhilarating experience and breath-taking views of the terrain from high in the air. Apart from being ideal for day-trippers, the resort which specializes in eco-tourism, offers a wide range of accommodation for longer stays. [caption id="attachment_22630" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] photo: skipedia.ru -Chimgan[/caption] Amirsoy, just 65 kilometers from Tashkent, offers an easily accessible respite from city life. Flanked by the Chaktal Ridge and Tian Shan mountains, its beautiful rolling landscape offers numerous trails for hiking and walking, alongside spas and pools. [caption id="attachment_22634" align="aligncenter" width="497"] photo: Uzbek Travel -Amirsoy[/caption] Lake Aidarkul, a unique oasis of sorts in the Kyzylkum Desert, is another of my favorite places to relax and enjoy outdoor recreation. It is especially beautiful in August when people come to its shores to enjoy the sunset then gaze at the starry sky. A natural wilderness and home to rare species of birds as well as pelicans, herons, geese and black storks, the area is a mecca for birdwatchers. Visitors can also experience a unique taste of nomadic life by embarking on a trip through the desert on camels – “ships of the desert"- to spend a night in a yurt. [caption id="attachment_22631" align="aligncenter" width="900"] photo:adantour.com -Lake Aidarkul[/caption] TCA: Why are these places and activities especially dear to you? These places and activities recharge my vigor, positively influence my mood, and I return to the city, to my work, with new ideas and impressions. TCA: What tips can you offer tourists to get the most out of their visit? It’s all about forward planning! I recommend determining in advance, aspects of the country which interest you most -historical monuments, culture, nature, cuisine -to help pick a tour tailored to your preferences. Make...

Putintseva Breaches Tennis Etiquette in U.S. Open Loss

Kazakh tennis player Yulia Putintseva once said: "I'm like a gangster on court, but like an angel off court." The comment, reported by the Women’s Tennis Association in 2022, was emblematic of Putintseva’s fiery on-court demeanor, which has propelled her to some big wins over the years. But take out frustrations on a member of the ball crew, as Putintseva appeared to do at this year’s U.S. Open? That’s taboo in tennis circles, and players cross the line at their peril when social media is the judge. Moscow-born Putintseva, 29, has been the target of withering online criticism since her dismissive treatment of a ballgirl during a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Jasmine Paolini of Italy in Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York on Saturday. Video of the incident shows the world No. 32 standing virtually immobile as the ball crewmember, her hands aloft as her training dictates, bounces one ball and then another toward the player. Putintseva lets the balls bounce off her, suggesting indifference or even disdain. Putintseva nonchalantly catches a third ball before walking off to resume play. Some in the crowd start to boo and whistle while watching the uncomfortable encounter. “Who does Putintseva think she is … Terrible behaviour towards the ball girl !!!” Boris Becker, who won six Grand Slam singles titles, said on X. “Shame on her!!! Humiliation of a ball kid is the last thing you do on a tennis court,” said retired Spanish player Feliciano López (who once accidentally clocked a ball boy in a sensitive area with one of his big serves). Putintseva issued an apology on social media to the ball crewmember, saying “it was not about her” and that she was upset with herself for failing to win the previous game during the match, according to Sports Illustrated and other media. Some online pundits panned the apology, saying it should be made in person. It was a fraught exit from the last Slam of the year for Putintseva, a Florida resident who switched from representing Russia to Kazakhstan in 2012 and has received support from the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. She was on the Kazakh Olympic team, which later said she pulled out of the Paris games because of injury. Putintseva has won three WTA singles titles, including on grass in Birmingham this year, and notched wins over some of the best in the game – Naomi Osaka in the Wimbledon first round in 2019, top seed Coco Gauff in Cincinnati this year, and No. 1 Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, also in 2024. There are rigorous guidelines for ball crews at the majors. At the U.S. Open, anyone 14 years or older can apply for the job and the average age of a ball crew member is about 21. Ball teams sometimes contend with intense heat on court and balls flying at high speed in their direction. Tournament winners often thank the ball crews in trophy speeches. Some champions were once ball kids. “At heart, I'm always going to be a...

Uzbek Coach Honored for Supporting Kyrgyz Olympic Boxer

Uzbek coach Akmal Hasanov has been honored for helping Kyrgyz boxer Munarbek Seyitbek-uulu make it to the semi-finals in the Paris Olympics. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Culture, Munarbek's personal trainer, Beganas Sultanbaev was unable to attend the event due to the expiry of his international accreditation and because the head coach of the Kyrgyz national boxing team was likewise absent, the Uzbek specialist agreed to act as a second for a boxer from another country. Munarbek Seyitbek-uulu regularly trained at Uzbekistan's training camps and hence, was well acquainted with both fellow athletes and the Uzbek coach who in a statement, emphasized , "Munarbek trained with us and because he came to the Olympics alone, asked me to help. Since our countries have friendly relations, we were happy to help him. He made history and became the first Olympic boxing medalist in the history of Kyrgyzstan." In lieu of the magnanimous role played by the coach, honored cultural worker of Kyrgyzstan Assol Moldokmatova, together with the son of renowned Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, decided to award Akmal Khasanov with a medal "for humanism, tolerance, humanity and high level of people's diplomacy." "Today, I called Uzbek coach Akmal Hasanov in Paris to express my gratitude and to rejoice in the news that he has been honored with the medal of the great writer Chingiz Aitmatov," posted Moldokmatova on social media. " I thank Akmal for his humanity and brotherly attitude. We appreciate, respect, and admire you! You are worthy of all praise and awards!"

Chess: Young Kazakh Boy Takes on World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top-ranked chess player for more than a decade, stretched back and yawned as he waited to begin a match at the 2024 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan. Facing him across the board was Nurassyl Primbetov, a young Kazakh boy who smiled and straightened his black pieces in their squares ahead of what was surely one of his biggest moments as a chess talent. Primbetov was born in 2013, according to the FIDE website. “Who is this young player? It must be so exciting for him to be facing Magnus Carlsen,” said Irina Krush, an American grandmaster doing commentary for FIDE, the International Chess Federation, on its YouTube channel. Another commentator warned against underestimating very young players, saying they are often “super dangerous” in blitz chess. It was one of the more unusual encounters in the chess event, which drew many of the world’s best players to the Kazakh capital over the past week. In the rapid chess contest, the Al-Ain ACMG UAE team was the winner, while the Decade China team led by world champion Ding Liren came second. The WR Chess team, which included Carlsen, won the blitz portion of the championship, defeating Indian squad MGD1 in the final on Monday. “I’ve been struggling a bit here, coming from a big time difference. I haven’t really been able to sleep much. Today I was really running on fumes,” a bleary-eyed Carlsen said after his team’s blitz victory in an interview on the FIDE channel. Carlsen, who is from Norway, said adrenaline had eventually kicked in and he was able to focus better. “Honestly, I just want to sleep. So, that’s how I’ll celebrate,” he said. Earlier, there was buzz around the clash between Carlsen, with a rating of 2,888 points in blitz chess, and Primbetov, with a rating of 1,904. “As a kid, it is not every day that you get to play with the world #1 Magnus Carlsen,” ChessBase India said. Representing the Baiterekchess team, Primbetov met Carlsen in a pre-knockout qualifying round. The Kazakh player came under early pressure as Carlsen’s white knights pushed hard on the black king side. Blitz games last just a few minutes and 33-year-old Carlsen was up on the clock against his young opponent, who was running out of time. Still, Krush noted that Carlsen, a world champion in multiple years, wasn’t trying to play very fast or unleash any fancy moves that could deliver a quick checkmate against the Kazakh boy. “He’s not trying to put any psychological pressure on his young opponent,” Krush said, adding that she didn’t think it was “an accident” because Carlsen tends to show a “gentleman-like demeanor towards these younger players.” Carlsen was once a child prodigy himself. As a 13-year-old in 2004, he drew a game against Garry Kasparov, one of the all-time greats. As Carlsen’s position strengthened and a win appeared inevitable, Primbetov played for a stalemate instead of resigning. But Carlsen bore down with a...

Cash, Horses, But No Meatballs — What Kazakhstan’s Olympic Medalists Receive For Their Success

As Kazakhstani athletes begin returning home from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the medalists are being greeted not only by new fans, but with payments and presents from the government. Yeldos Smetov, Kazakhstan's first-ever Olympic gold medalist in judo, received the keys to a Lexus LX 600 SUV worth at least 78 million KZT ($165,000). He was also given a 5-room apartment in his native Taraz, and a check for 2.6m KZT ($5,500). Smetov received a $250,000 government bonus, lifetime monthly payments of 369,000 KZT ($785), and was promised a herd of 100 thoroughbred horses. Meanwhile, Gusman Kyrgyzbayev, a bronze judo medalist at the Games, was also showered with gifts. A judoka who usually represents the Ministry of Defense's own sports club, Kyrgyzbayev was promoted from senior lieutenant to captain upon his return to Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzbayev was also given a Toyota Land Cruiser-250 SUV worth about 31 million KZT ($65,000), and received $75,000 as a state award. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced monetary incentives for anyone else who brings a medal home from Paris. Gold medalists will be paid $250,000; silver medalists will receive $150,000, and bronze medalists will receive $75,000. Bonuses of $30,000, $10,000, and $5,000 are also provided for 4th, 5th, and 6th places respectively. As generous as the Kazakh government has been, in East Asia the rewards are even more lavish. The government of Hong Kong is promising prize money of 6 million local dollars ($768,000) to any champions at the 2024 Olympics. In Malaysia, meanwhile, the recent gold medalists in badminton doubles, Apriyani Rahai and Gracie Poli, were each given five cows, a specialty meatball restaurant, and a new house.