Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 22 October, Paralympic athletics champion Asila Mirzayeva has been appointed as the Special Representative of the National Social Protection Agency for the rights of persons with disabilities.

"We have welcomed another outstanding Paralympic champion to our agency family. Asila and I had planned to work together in Paris, and today that desire has become a reality: she has taken on the role of special representative of the agency. Welcome to our team, Asila! She is a strong and intelligent individual who will actively work on protecting the rights of people with disabilities. Our team already includes champions like Diyor and Asila. I am confident that together we will achieve even more!" stated Shakhnoza Mirziyeva, the agency’s First Deputy Director.

Speaking at the event, Asila Mirzayeva expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her and explained her reasons for accepting the offer:

"It is a great honor and responsibility for me to begin my work as the special representative for the rights of persons with disabilities. This position opens up opportunities for me to contribute to ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all. As a Paralympic athlete, I understand well what it means to overcome physical and social barriers, and I believe that everyone should have equal opportunities to be a full member of society," she emphasized.

Asila also expressed her excitement about the prospect of collaborating with governmental and non-governmental organizations to create an inclusive environment in her new role.

It is noteworthy that in August 2024, Olympic judo champion Diyor Keldiyorova was appointed as the social commissioner for issues of gender inequality and violence against children at the National Social Protection Agency.

Shakhnoza Mirziyeva became the First Deputy Chairperson of the National Paralympic Committee of Uzbekistan in August 2024.