25.05.2025, Dushanbe
Dear compatriots!
Football fans and sports enthusiasts!
I sincerely congratulate all of you on the occasion of World Football Day, which is celebrated worldwide at the initiative of Tajikistan.
A year ago, on May 7, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly, upon Tajikistan’s proposal, adopted a resolution officially including the celebration of World Football Day in the international calendar.
It is worth noting that this constructive step is further evidence of Tajikistan’s active role and growing authority on the global stage, as well as its contribution to strengthening universal values—including peace, friendship, mutual understanding, solidarity, and cooperation through sports.
Football is not only one of the most popular and widely practiced sports among the peoples and nations of the world but also one of the most important tools for promoting health, physical and psychological development, and fostering a spirit of humanity and solidarity in society.
Today, football in our country is at a new stage of development, with a steadily growing number of enthusiasts and athletes, especially among teenagers and youth.
This wonderful sport is now developing not only in the capital but also in all cities and districts of the country, gaining special status as an essential element of physical and spiritual education.
It should be noted that the development of physical culture and sports is unthinkable without creating a well-equipped infrastructure and adapting newly built facilities to modern requirements.
With this in mind, the Government of Tajikistan, alongside other vital sectors, is taking concrete measures to establish and modernize sports infrastructure.
During the years of State independence, more than 7,500 sports facilities dedicated exclusively to football matches have been constructed and put into operation across the country.
Over the past year, 101 modern football fields have been commissioned in cities and districts nationwide.
In the capital alone, over the past five years, more than 300 sports facilities have been built through sports development programs, bringing the total number to 500.
It is important to highlight that three state programs for football development—for 2012-2016, 2017-2021, and 2021-2026—have ensured the broad implementation of initiatives and created a solid foundation for strengthening infrastructure and popularizing football nationwide.
Additionally, officials and coaches in the country’s sports sector have developed and implemented three sports training curricula for sports schools in cities and districts, one physical education curriculum, and extracurricular football activities and physical education classes.
With the support of the Government and effective cooperation between the authorized state body for physical culture and sports and the Football Federation of Tajikistan, regular football competitions are held across the country, encouraging widespread youth participation, including girls, in this sport.
Dear compatriots!
The significant achievements of Tajik athletes in regional and international competitions are among the successes of the state’s sports policy.
A source of pride is the fact that, for the first time in the history of modern Tajik statehood, our national football team reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 Asian Cup.
The Tajikistan national futsal team advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Championship and also participated in the World Championship.
I would like to remind you that the United Nations’ adoption of World Football Day inspires us to continue making greater efforts to develop and promote this sport in our country.
As the Head of State, I am proud of the achievements of Tajik athletes and once again sincerely congratulate all officials in the sector, coaches, football players, and representatives of this wonderful sport on the occasion of World Football Day.
With full confidence, I declare that football in Tajikistan—as a symbol of unity, national pride, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and an important factor in representing the Tajik state on the international stage—is developing day by day. Fans and enthusiasts of this sport are inspired and encouraged by the new achievements of Tajik footballers.
Happy World Football Day, sports lovers!