Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 19 November, the Yangi Nafas race will take place in 16 cities of Uzbekistan, timed to celebrate one of the most important dates in the history of the country - the Day of Adoption of the National Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan. On this day, every citizen of the country will be able to join a patriotic race aimed at uniting the nation in the name of the ideas of prosperity, sovereignty and national statehood of Uzbekistan.

The flag of a state is a symbol of its independence and determines its identity in the international space. On 18 November 1991, the law “On the State Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan” was adopted, and the young republic acquired a new status and a new symbol of statehood. After 32 years, every event in the country is accompanied by the raising of the state flag, marking a confident path in the achievements of Uzbekistan in a variety of areas, including big-time and mass sports.

The organizers of the patriotic race are the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the Ministry of Health, Asaka Bank, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, the Ministry of Youth Policy and Sports, Uzbekneftegaz JSC, the Athletics Federation of Uzbekistan.

The mass sports race Yangi Nafas on Flag Day will be held in 16 cities of the republic. The main symbol of the country will be carried through the central streets by residents of Andijan, Namangan, Fergana, Nurafshan, Gulistan, Jizzakh, Samarkand, Termez, Navoi, Bukhara, Karaulbazar, Karshi, Guzar, Khiva, Nukus and Tashkent. In the capital, the start and finish zone will be located on the square of the Humo Arena sports and ice complex. According to the approved concept of the race, the uniform distance in all cities is 3 km, and in Tashkent – 3 km and 10 km.

“Uzbekistan has created an active platform for mass sports and sports of high achievement,” noted Deputy Chairman of the Athletics Federation of Uzbekistan Andrey Abduvaliev. “The day before, our athletes won silver medals at the most prestigious Asian Half Marathon Championship among the strongest runners on the continent. The high result achieved by our athletes is the result of large-scale work by the country’s leadership, organizers of sports marathons and races, running clubs and the Athletics Federation of Uzbekistan in order to support and develop sports at all levels.”

Athletes and runners from other countries will also be able to join the celebration of the Day of Adoption of the National Flag. It is worth noting that, on the initiative of the Athletics Federation of Uzbekistan, in 2023 the Yangi Nafas race acquired international status and athletes and participants of running clubs from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan are invited to participate in the sporting event. The Yangi Nafas race is held according to the current rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations World Athletics.

In all cities, the Yangi Nafas race starts simultaneously at 07:30 am. As the organizers note, celebrating Flag Day in a sporty running atmosphere will create a mood of cohesion and friendship, and entire families will take part in it, regardless of age restrictions. The recommended age for younger participants is 9 years.