Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, on 7 November, a press conference was held at the Ministry of Sports Development dedicated to the Yangi Nafas sports race, timed to coincide with the Day of Adoption of the State Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Exactly one week remains before one of the largest events in the framework of the celebration of the 31st anniversary of the National Flag Day. On 13 November, the Yangi Nafas race will be launched simultaneously in 15 cities of the country under the motto “One country, one start, one distance, one goal - let’s run together! By tradition, the sporting event will be broadcast live with connections from the regions and the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

Minister of Sports Development Adkham Ikramov, opening the event, noted that at present, thorough preparations are being made throughout the country for worthy holding of sports and patriotic events on the occasion of the Flag Day. He stressed that for every athlete the national flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan is a symbol of victories and achievements, an attribute of pride and honor, the personification of national unity.

According to the organizers, during a press conference, more than 32,000 participants are expected throughout the country, and this is twice the number of runners participating in the Yangi Nafas sports race, organized this summer on Youth Day.

With the support of the Agency for Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Education, a large number of young participants will take part in the sporting event. According to the ministry, about 27 thousand students from 85 higher educational institutions of Uzbekistan will join the Yangi Nafas race.

During an online press conference, representatives of the regional organizing committees spoke about the preparations in the cities participating in the Yangi Nafas race. The routes of the races were approved, and a set of measures to ensure the safety of the mass race, including for participants with disabilities.

An important part of the Yangi Nafas races is the implementation of inclusive values in mass sports events. With the assistance of the Ministry of Justice, runners with disabilities are involved in each Yangi Nafas race. The organizers established a special nomination "For the will to win".

Deputy Chairman of the Athletics Federation Andrey Abduvaliev noted that in recent years the popularity of athletics in Uzbekistan among the population has grown significantly. And if earlier it was more common for citizens to simply watch the sports achievements of athletes, today young people and people of middle and older age are happy to join mass sports events. Each race is an opportunity for them to improve their skills and see their sporting progress.”

Three locations will be organized in Tashkent, where everyone can take part in the race - the Yangi Uzbekiston park, the Ashgabat park and the Humo Arena site.

The organizers of the Yangi Nafas sports race are the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education, the Ministry of Sports Development, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the National Guard, the Tashkent city administration, the Agency for Youth Affairs, the Federation of Trade Unions, Uzbekneftegaz JSC, the Triathlon Federation of Uzbekistan, Athletics Federation of Uzbekistan with the assistance of running clubs.