On initiative of Tajikistan, the United Nations General Assembly Declares May 25 as World Football Day
Since its independence in 1991, the global recognition of Tajikistan has steadily increased thanks to the global initiatives of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Emomali Rahmon, on water resources as the basis of life and progress of society. Thanks to Tajikistan’s initiatives, the country serves as a platform for discussion in the search for optimal and rational ways to solve problems and challenges related to water resources.
But Tajikistan’s leadership is not limited to the field of water only. Earlier this year, the President of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), President of the Tajikistan Football Federation (TFF), H.E. Rustam Emomali, for the first time proposed to the United Nations to recognize the global significance of football. In May, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on World Football Day, co-sponsored by the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Libya. The UN General Assembly also decided to proclaim May 25 as World Football Day for the first time in 2024, as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the first-ever international football tournament involving representatives from all regions at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.
This Resolution emphasizes the importance of holding major international sports competitions in the spirit of peace, mutual understanding, international cooperation, friendship and tolerance, without discrimination, and that the unifying and reconciling nature of such competitions must be respected. The resolution also recognizes the fundamental role of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the important role of regional and national football federations and their respective associations in the promotion of football.
The operational part of the resolution calls on all Member States to support sports, including football, as tools for the promotion of peace, development, the empowerment of women and girls, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and dialogue among civilizations.
The adoption of this document once again confirms the recognition by the international community of the outstanding role of Tajikistan in promoting a healthy lifestyle and developing international sports cooperation for its global promotion. This demonstrates the full confidence of the international community in the initiatives and actions of Tajikistan.
As part of the celebration of World Football Day, a football festival for children was held at the Central Republican Stadium of Dushanbe with the participation of H.E. Rustam Emomali.
In recent years, Tajikistan, thanks to the efforts and measures taken, has occupied a special place in the life cycle of football development in the region. It should be noted that at the Eighth Congress of the Central Asian Football Association, H.E. Rustami Emomali, was re-elected as CAFA President for a new four-year term.
The above-mentioned Resolution, which indicates a high conviction in the development of football, opened a new page of history for the expansion and popularization of this sport within the country and in the region.
Football in Tajikistan has become an integral part of the national identity and culture and a symbol of unity, uniting people of all ages and social classes.
As noted by H.E. Rustam Emomali: “The inhabitants of the planet have been playing football for more than 150 years, and since its inception this game has had one task and one goal – to unite people. Today, even in the smallest country in the world, people play football, which means that football, as a product of human creative thinking, has evolved from a simple game into a connecting factor for humanity.”
Indeed, the transformative power of football contributes to global peace and plays a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Football as a sport is in a unique position. Apart from its gaming qualities, it is a universal language spoken by people of all ages, transcending national, cultural and socio-economic boundaries. This shared passion fosters a sense of community and national pride.
Football’s widespread appeal and accessibility make it a powerful tool for promoting health and well-being. The sport plays an important role in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
In addition, football serves as a catalyst for social integration processes, promoting unity and breaking down barriers between different communities. Football creates space for people from different walks of life and promotes mutual understanding, tolerance, respect and solidarity.
Football in Tajikistan is going through a period of radical transformation.
The reform of the entire football system continues, both in organizing the work of the federation and in bringing the infrastructure in line with modern requirements.
The reform of recent years shows that in a short period of time, domestic football has entered a new stage of development. On the direct initiative of H.E. Rustam Emomali, hundreds of programs and plans have been implemented in the country. The construction of football fields and stadiums that meet international standards has begun. Football leagues in Tajikistan have been created, and a school for young referees has opened. Domestic football clubs competing in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have achieved notable results.
The football management structure has been radically changed and brought into line with modern standards. In a short time, the necessary departments and committees were created, trainers and specialists were attracted. Hundreds of international and domestic courses and seminars were organized to improve the professional level of all personnel – referees, trainers, managers, marketers. These classes were conducted by experienced instructors from both FIFA and AFC.
Thanks to the correct course for the comprehensive development of Tajik football in Tajikistan, the number of coaching staff who have “Pro” category licenses has increased and it is planned that soon it will be possible to undergo training and obtain the appropriate licenses in Tajikistan itself.
TV channels TV “Varzish” and TV “Football” were created in Tajikistan, and the official website of the FFT was launched. Work with the media has become extensive. Along with the launch of these networks, practical measures were taken to train experienced media professionals.
With the development of football in the country, following the correctly chosen course of the national federation, Tajikistan has become one of the centres of regional football. The President of the FFT has become one of the key figures of the AFC, whose opinion is already taken into account in the international football arena.
Children, youth, women and futsal tournaments are increasingly taking place on the fields of Tajikistan. This indicates the recognition of Tajikistan as a football country. In addition, there are political dividends – such tournaments are trusted only to those countries where there is stability, order and appropriate infrastructure.
Currently, the republic can host international-level matches in four stadiums; there are dozens more stadiums that, with the necessary reconstruction, can improve their status. In addition to them, more than 200 football fields – mini-stadiums – were built throughout the Republic as part of the implementation of football development programs. Directly from the FFT, 30 mini-football fields of international standard were built in cities and regions of the republic. In Dushanbe, the construction of a modern football stadium with 30,000 seats continues, which in the future can host matches of the highest level.
To date, more than 13 tournaments have been held in Tajikistan under the auspices of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA).
Tajikistan is also rich in young football talents, as evidenced by the following successful performances of youth and youth teams of the countries in the international arena in recent years.
To illustrate: The U17 youth team twice in 2007 and 2019 won the right to play in the finals of the World Youth Championships, where they reached the 1/8 finals. A year earlier, that is, in 2006 and 2018, the same team won bronze medals at the Asian Championship. The U19 youth team twice participated in the finals of the Asian Championships in 2016 and 2018, where they reached the quarter finals.
The future of this sport in Tajikistan looks promising, as the country has many talented players ready to conquer new heights. In its debut participation at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, the national team of Tajikistan played five matches and reached the quarter-finals. As a result, the Tajikistan national team entered the eight strongest teams on the continent.
From the above it is clear that thanks to the right course of development, Tajikistan has gained great authority in Asian football. Today Tajikistan is already perceived as a football country.
Now the most important thing for all football leaders and specialists is to maintain the pace of development that was set by the President of the Federation from the first days of his activity.
Football is not only a game, it is, first of all, a good educational school for young people, instilling in them a sense of patriotism and national pride, an opportunity to express themselves and find their place in life. That is, this is a big social, cultural, educational, economic project.
FA
