The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) has taken a significant step towards the Tashkent 2025 Asian Youth Para Games by signing the Host City Contract with the Organising Committee. Set to be held between September and October 2025, this anticipated event will mark the fifth edition of the Asian Youth Para Games and promises to be an exciting showcase of Para sports.
What makes the Tashkent 2025 Games even more remarkable is that it will be the first multi-Para sport event hosted in the Central Asian region. This historic moment is poised to leave a lasting legacy, not only in Uzbekistan but also in inspiring the entire Paralympic Movement. Adding to the excitement, the Tashkent 2025 Games will be the first time in history when the Asian Youth Games and Para Games will be organized in the same city under the same Organising Committee, following the successful format of the Asian Games and Asian Para Games.
The previous edition of the Asian Youth Para Games, held in Manama, Bahrain, showcased over 700 young athletes from 30 countries competing across nine Para sports. Iran emerged as the top-performing nation in the medals table, securing an impressive total of 144 medals, including 51 golds. With Thailand and Japan claiming 38 and 32 gold medals respectively, the competition was fierce and exhilarating.
The signing ceremony for the Tashkent 2025 Games, held on Thursday, 3 August 2023, saw the presence of President Majid Rashed and CEO Tarek Souei of the Asian Paralympic Committee, along with H.E. Ikramov Adkham Ilkhamovich, the Minister of Youth Policy and Sports in Uzbekistan, and H.E. Mukhtorkhon Tashkhodjaev, the president of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Uzbekistan.
During the virtual ceremony, President Rashed conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to NPC Uzbekistan and the organizers on Tashkent’s official confirmation as the host city. He highlighted the importance of inclusivity and reaching out to the youth, who represent the future of the Paralympic Movement. Rashed praised NPC Uzbekistan’s dedication and enthusiasm for hosting the Games and expressed excitement about the Olympic and Paralympic Town in Tashkent, the venue for all sporting competitions.
Furthermore, President Rashed applauded Uzbekistan’s significant growth in the Paralympic Movement, evident from their impressive performances at the Paris 2023 World Para Athletics Championships, where the country’s athletes secured several gold medals. He expressed hope for Uzbekistan’s success at the upcoming Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games.
NPC Uzbekistan President Tashkhodjaev emphasized the country’s ambition to expand their delegation and medal count at both the Asian Para Games and the Paralympic Games. The staging of the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games reflects Uzbekistan’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of Para athletes. Tashkhodjaev expressed delight in welcoming Asia’s finest young talents to the Central Asian region in two years’ time.
In conclusion, the signing of the Host City Contract for the Tashkent 2025 Asian Youth Para Games marks a momentous occasion for the Paralympic Movement. With a record-breaking number of participating nations and athletes, this event promises to make a lasting impact on the Central Asian region while inspiring the next generation of Para athletes. The dedication and enthusiasm of NPC Uzbekistan and the Asian Paralympic Committee ensure that the Tashkent 2025 Games will be a truly memorable and successful sporting extravaganza.