Uzbekistan and Russia have formalized a partnership to advance adaptive sports, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the National Agency for Social Protection of Uzbekistan and Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia (Herzen University). This agreement was announced by the press service of the National Agency for Social Protection.
The agreement was forged following a meeting between the agency's leadership and Sergey Valentinovich Tarasov, the rector of the Russian State Pedagogical University. The discussions focused on developing qualified specialists in the fields of inclusive and corrective education, with particular emphasis on surdopedagogy, typhlopedagogy, speech therapy, and oligophrenopedagogy.
The Russian university, known for its extensive experience and scientific capabilities, will contribute to the development of curricula and the advanced training of educators. A key element of the partnership involves incorporating international inclusive education standards.
A significant topic of collaboration is the development of adaptive physical education and sports, which plays a vital role in the social integration of individuals with physical disabilities.
The newly established Association of Adaptive Sports in Uzbekistan has been a central part of this initiative. The partnership aims to create a dedicated faculty for adaptive sports at the university's Tashkent branch, which will serve as a hub for training coaches and specialists working with young people with disabilities.
Beyond education, the partnership will focus on the professional integration of graduates into the workforce. The National Agency for Social Protection has committed to creating internship opportunities and supporting the placement of specialists, ensuring a smooth transition into the labor market for these graduates.
This development was highlighted during a meeting on February 13, led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, where the establishment of the adaptive sports faculty and further collaboration with Herzen University was discussed. The president stressed the need for scientifically-based methodologies and standards in the training of athletes with disabilities. He pointed out that, currently, there is a gap in the available educational materials, as training requirements for athletes with disabilities are often adapted from those for able-bodied athletes.
To address this, the government has been sending around 100 athletes with disabilities and their coaches abroad annually for advanced training. Additionally, 39 regional sports schools specialize in parasports, reflecting the country's growing commitment to inclusive sports development.
Developing adaptive sports in Uzbekistan
Mirziyoyev also emphasized the broader effort to support people with disabilities in Uzbekistan. In a recent meeting with Paralympic athletes, their families, and coaches, he highlighted the country's initiatives to create inclusive conditions for individuals with disabilities.
The Adaptive Sports Development Program, approved in November 2024, has already established 19 types of parasports, with over 25,000 individuals with disabilities actively participating in sports.
The government plans to further enhance accessibility by setting up adaptive sports groups in state sports schools and modifying public playgrounds to cater to people with disabilities. Special attention will also be given to training adaptive physical education and sports specialists, marking a significant step towards a more inclusive society.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)