• KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09217 0.55%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28615 0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09217 0.55%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28615 0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09217 0.55%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28615 0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09217 0.55%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28615 0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09217 0.55%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28615 0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09217 0.55%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28615 0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09217 0.55%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28615 0.14%
  • KGS/USD = 0.01144 0%
  • KZT/USD = 0.00196 0%
  • TJS/USD = 0.09217 0.55%
  • UZS/USD = 0.00008 0%
  • TMT/USD = 0.28615 0.14%
08 February 2025

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 23

Guest Opinion: The View From China on Kyrgyzstan

The 9th Asian Winter Games will kick off in Harbin on February 7, 2025. According to the organizing committee, 1,275 athletes from 34 Asian countries and regions have registered to compete, making it the largest event in the event’s history. The record-high participation partly reflects the growing appeal of winter sports across Asia and showcases the continent’s diversity and unity. Among those attending the event is the delegation from Kyrgyzstan, which is sending around 50 athletes to compete in biathlon, alpine skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, and curling. As this edition of the Asian Winter Games is set to open, the spotlight is not just on the athletes from across the continent, but also on the broader regional ties the event symbolizes. Indeed, in a world where the level of geopolitical uncertainties is high, some partnerships stand the test of time. At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov will pay a state visit to China from February 4 to 7. Over the past three decades or so, China and Kyrgyzstan have navigated global challenges while steadily strengthening their ties. Through frequent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation across multiple sectors, the two nations have built a bond that’s only grown stronger over the past three decades. At the heart of this partnership are Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, whose meetings over the years have deepened mutual trust. Back in February 2022, Japarov visited China to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony and held talks with Xi. Later that year, in September, they met again at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Samarkand. In 2023, Japarov made a state visit to China and attended the China-Central Asia Summit. It was during this visit that both nations decided to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. Their most recent bilateral meeting took place in July 2024 during the SCO Summit, with Japarov's state visit to China now taking place from February 4 to 7. Economic Ties China has consistently been Kyrgyzstan's top trading partner - primary import-based -  and biggest investor. The two nations continue to strengthen cooperation in energy, transportation, and agriculture, driving regional economic integration. Chinese enterprises in construction, oil refining, cement, and mining have been investing in Kyrgyzstan over the years, and their investments yield tangible results. Trade between China and Kyrgyzstan has been on an upward trajectory. From January to November 2024, bilateral trade reached $19.86 billion, an 11% increase year-on-year, showcasing a positive trend in economic cooperation. A long-anticipated project, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway, has finally moved from vision to reality. Once completed, this railway will serve as a crucial trade corridor, enhancing regional connectivity and providing a major boost to Kyrgyzstan’s economic development. Additionally, the partial opening of the Bedel Pass, increasing direct flights between Chinese and Kyrgyz cities, and improved cross-border transportation all contribute to smoother trade and travel between the two countries. Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, such as road network...

Uzbek Chess Player Apologizes to Indian Opponent After Handshake Stir

A chess grandmaster from Uzbekistan who declined to shake hands with his Indian female opponent ahead of their game and later cited “religious reasons” has kicked up debate and criticism of his conduct on Indian social networks and media. Nodirbek Yakubboev, a Muslim, later tried to atone for what had looked like a snub by giving flowers to grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu in a filmed street encounter on Jan. 30 after she had beaten him days earlier at the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters, in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. “I’m sorry,” Yakubboev, 23, said in the video posted by ChessBase India. “It’s very understandable. I didn’t take it that way,” replied Vaishali, who is also 23. She was accompanied by her brother Praggnanandhaa, 19, who is also a grandmaster and went on to win the Masters category in Wijk aan Zee. The tournament there ended on Sunday. The polite exchange among the three chess players, who were bundled against the cold, might have been the end of it. But some Indians felt that Vaishali had been disrespected, and they said so on social media, while also reveling in Vaishali’s fourth-round victory over the Uzbek in the tournament’s Challengers category. Vaishali was playing with the black pieces. “You absolute queen,” one admirer said. The Hindustan Times said Vaishali had the “last laugh” by winning and that the video of Yakubboev’s apology was “like a Bollywood movie,” but The Times of India thought the apology was “heartfelt.” A few online commentaries mused on the interaction between sports and religion, in particular the display of religious faith or symbols during competition. International chess luminaries also gave their opinions. One perspective came from Hungary-born Susan Polgar, who was the women’s world chess champion for several years in the 1990s. “This is my opinion: I have less of an issue with the religious excuse. Others may disagree,” Polgar said on X. “BUT, he could have informed the organizers, chief arbiter, and/or his female opponents in advance. This is NOT an Open Swiss event. This is a prestigious invitational when he knew in advance that he would face 4 female opponents. If he wanted an exception then be proactive. Otherwise, he has to expect criticism.” In the ChessBase India video, Yakubboev is interviewed about what he acknowledged was an awkward situation. “I didn’t shake her hand because of religious reasons,” he said. “It was my fault that I could not inform her or the arbiter” before the game. Yakubboev was asked about a 2023 incident in Abu Dhabi in which he shook the hand of another Indian female opponent, Divya Deshmukh. Photos of that handshake circulated online in the last week, prompting comments that the Uzbek grandmaster was inconsistent in encounters with women facing him across the chess board. Yakubboev clarified that, starting in 2024, he began “following the rules of my religion” and that he now considered it wrong for him to shake the hands of other women. He said the fallout since his game with...

Kazakhstan to Reconstruct Medeu, the World’s Largest High-Altitude Skating Rink

Kazakhstan plans to reconstruct Medeu, the world’s largest high-altitude skating rink, in 2025, expanding its capabilities and modernizing its facilities. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov announced the initiative in response to a request from senators. Medeu is a high-mountain sports complex located outside Almaty in the Medeu gorge, at an altitude of 1,691 meters above sea level. According to Bektenov, the planned modernization will enhance the rink’s technical specifications, bringing it in line with International Skating Union (ISU) standards for hosting speed skating and figure skating competitions. Additionally, the Almaty City Council (Akimat) aims to expand Medeu’s functionality to accommodate ball hockey (bandy) tournaments, world championships in ice speedway racing, and various ice shows and mass sporting events. Calls for Renovation In late December, Kazakh senators urged the prime minister to take action, noting that Medeu is now 52 years old. “Opened in 1972, it quickly became one of the best ice rinks in the world. In its first year alone, 249 of a possible 375 world records were set on its ice. The clean mountain air, rarefied atmosphere, and glacial meltwater used for ice resurfacing contributed to outstanding athletic performances. For two decades, Medeu led the world in speed skating. However, after the ISU introduced rules requiring competitions to be held in indoor arenas, outdoor rinks lost their prominence. Should we simply accept that a rink built for records is losing its significance? Medeu remains the world’s largest outdoor artificial ice rink, spanning 10,500 square meters and accommodating up to 8,100 spectators,” the senators wrote in their appeal. Proposed Measures To restore Medeu’s global sporting relevance, the senators proposed the following initiatives: Grant Medeu a special ISU status. Establish a high-altitude training center for athletes. Develop facilities for ball hockey (bandy) competitions. Utilize the arena for ice shows and performances by world-class figure skaters. Host stages of the world ice speedway championship. With its historical significance and unique natural conditions, Medeu remains a symbol of Kazakhstan’s sporting legacy. The upcoming renovation aims to ensure it remains a world-class venue for both competitive and recreational ice sports.

Kazakhstan Sumo Wrestler Takes Third Place at Japan’s Emperor’s Cup

According to the Japanese publication Tachiai, Kazakhstan’s Yersin Baltagul, known in Japan as Kimbodzan Haruki, has achieved a historic milestone at the Emperor's Cup, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sumo world. Baltagul entered the tournament's final round with an impressive record of 12 wins and 3 losses. However, in the decisive matches, he was bested by Japan’s Ojo Konosuke and Mongolia’s Sugarragchaagiin Byambasuren, known by his ring name Hoshoryu Tomokatsu. This secured Baltagul a commendable third-place finish. While Hoshoryu Tomokatsu ultimately claimed the championship title, Baltagul did not leave the tournament empty-handed. He was awarded the “Fighting Spirit” prize, a special recognition for his skill, determination, and resilience in the ring. This accolade cements Baltagul’s place as the first Kazakhstani athlete to reach such heights in the professional world of Japanese sumo. Baltagul, 27, began his wrestling journey in his childhood, training in traditional kazaksha kures (national wrestling) and judo. Aged 18, he moved to Japan to pursue a career in sumo, and in 2019, he claimed the title of Japan's youth sumo champion, marking an important early milestone. Since then, he has steadily risen through the ranks to become one of the strongest competitors in a sport deeply rooted in Japanese culture and tradition. Baltagul's 12th victory during the Emperor's Cup has spotlighted his elite level of training and competitiveness, ranking him among the sport's top athletes. His success demonstrates the growing prominence of Kazakhstan's athletes on the international stage and paves the way for the development of sumo in Kazakhstan. Baltagul’s story is one of perseverance and excellence, marking a proud moment for Kazakhstan in the global sports arena.

Uzbek Footballer Abdukodir Khusanov to Sign for Manchester City

When the English champions Manchester City suffered a shock run of losses recently, soccer fans began guessing what moves coach Pep Guardiola would make to stop their winter slump. No-one expected him to call for a defender from Uzbekistan. Abdukodir Khusanov, still only 20 but already with 18 appearances for the White Wolves, is set to become Guardiola’s first signing of 2025. On 11 January the tall center-back agreed to join City in a €40 million ($41 million) transfer from the French team RC Lens. Once the move is complete, Khusanov is expected to sign a contract for four and a half years, Manchester City have won five of the last six Premier League titles. They were European club champions in 2023 after winning a first UEFA Champions League. With Europe's giants very rarely looking to Asia for their next young star, Khusanov has taken an unconventional route to the Etihad Stadium. He began his career in the youth team of local side Bunyodkor, before moving to Belarus in 2022, at the age of 18, to play for Energetik-BGU Minsk. In 2023 Khusanov was part of the Uzbekistan youth team that won the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup. There his confident passing and physicality caught the attention of RC Lens. He became a fan favorite in northern France, and the youngest Uzbek to play in the Champions League. Conor Bowers, a British fan of Uzbek soccer, has followed Khusanov’s career closely, and mentions that the €40 million man once struggled even to make teams in his homeland. “Although he is now over six feet tall, his youth coaches thought he would be too small to make it professionally. And that was even as a child, when he played as a striker.” Of his season in France, Bowers adds: “People had high hopes for Khusanov, but no-one expected him to move to a club the size of Manchester City this fast. People feel it will put Uzbekistan in the spotlight of the football world.” It was his strong performances in the French league that put Khusanov on the radar of Europe’s best clubs – Manchester City beat other English teams to his signature – but the defender is also vital to his national team. With the striker Eldor Shomurodov (of Roma in Italy) leading the attack, and Khusanov the team’s rock in defense, Uzbekistan has become Central Asia’s most accomplished side. The senior team is on course to qualify for next year’s men’s FIFA World Cup in North America. Khusanov will be the first footballer from anywhere in Central Asia to play in the English Premier League. However, he is not the first player born in Tashkent to grace the so-called “best league in the world". The Nigerian forward Peter Odemwingie spent his early childhood in Uzbekistan’s capital, before playing in the EPL for West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City. As news of Khusanov’s move to Manchester swept across Uzbek media over the weekend, sports fans were excited by the prospect of...

ESPN’s Laura Sanko Dives into Kazakh Culture, Inspired by UFC’s Shavkat Rakhmonov

American TV host and ESPN journalist Laura Sanko, known for her admiration of Kazakh UFC fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov, has shared her journey of learning the Kazakh language​. Sanko acknowledged that the process has been challenging but expressed enthusiasm for mastering new words and phrases. “It’s difficult. You would laugh if you saw me. I sit in my hotel room, watch YouTube videos, and try to repeat after them. When I think I’ve succeeded, I send an audio file to Sayat Abdrakhmanov, Shavkat Rakhmonov's manager, asking him to check. Then he translates my phrases into Kazakh, and I listen to them slowly, over and over,” she revealed during an interview with Schrödinger's Sport. Despite her dedication, Sanko modestly assessed her progress, emphasizing the significant effort required to learn Kazakh. “I learned that ‘sәlemetsiz be’ means ‘hello.’ I picked that up through YouTube. I wanted to prepare for a simple conversation, but I’m far from that. Kazakh is very difficult for Americans. It requires using deep throat muscles, while English relies on more frontal sounds. It’s hard for us to get it right,” she explained. Sanko has long been a familiar name among martial arts fans in Kazakhstan. She began following Rakhmonov’s career even before his debut in the UFC​. Her admiration for the fighter has occasionally sparked rumors of romantic interest, but Sanko maintains that her fascination is purely professional. Sanko’s admiration for Rakhmonov extends beyond his fighting skills to Kazakhstan's culture. She has made public appearances in traditional Kazakh attire, such as during a UFC weigh-in​. Ahead of Rakhmonov’s most recent fight, she appeared in a traditional Kazakh outfit and, after his seventh consecutive UFC victory, delivered a speech in Kazakh - a gesture widely appreciated by Kazakhstani fans. Shavkat Rakhmonov is one of Kazakhstan's most celebrated MMA athletes. Currently ranked No. 2 in the welterweight division, Rakhmonov remains undefeated with a 19-0 record.