President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov chaired the meeting, which was held at the presidential residence Oqsaroy.

Noting that the Fund marks the tenth anniversary of its founding, Uzbek President Islam Karimov expounded on the extensive work carried out during the past period and the outcomes it has produced.

The issues discussed during the session included those related to outfitting the children’s sports facilities with proper equipment and hardware in line with approved normative standards. As a result of steadfast endeavors undertaken on this course, children’s sports facilities being commissioned are equipped with primarily domestically manufactured tools and hardware. That 114 out of 120 types of sports equipment are produced in local enterprises has been cited at the meeting as a considerable achievement.

Uzbek leader said that Fund financed construction of 1,113 sport objects in last ten years, of which 252 were new sport complexes and 861 sport halls at general schools, while 84% were launched in rural areas.

He said that the Fund also helped to reconstruct and repair 262 sport complexes. Some 570 billion soums were used for this purpose. Last year, 92 children sport objects and 16 swimming pools were constructed and reconstructed, he said.

Currently 81% of 9,600 general schools have newly constructed or reconstructed sport halls. All 1,549 colleges and lyceums have modern sport halls.

Uzbek leader said that some 1.8 million children are training at 57,500 sport sections in the result of conducted works. Each sport complexes work up to 9.2 hours each day, he said.

Islam Karimov stated that 14 indoor swimming pools were constructed in all regions of Uzbekistan and some 13 swimming pools were reconstructed and 83 pools were repaid. Some 110 swimming pools were launched and their total number reached 203.

Uzbek President said that 1.8 million children are engaged in 30 sports, which grew by 1.4 times compared to 2003. Number of school students engaged in sports fro from 20.4% to 40.5% in the reporting period, while number of girls rose from 16.4% to 32.5%.

In rural areas, some 39% of children participate in various sports against 14.5% in 2003, he said.

Islam Karimov said that in last ten years, young Uzbek athletes won 922 medals, of which 363 were gold medals, 282 – silver medals and 277 – bronze medals. In 2012, they won 204 medals, including 81 – gold medals, 61 – silver medals and 62 – bronze medals.

President stated that in last ten years, average weight of boys rose from 43 to 47 kg and girls – from 44 to 48 kg. Average height of boys grew by 3 cm and girls – 2.9 cm. Over 92% of boys and girls meet standards of World Health Organization on weight and height, he said.

The meeting participants inquired into the outcomes of efforts aimed at the implementation of program for the construction, reconstruction and cardinal overhaul of children’s sports facilities, swimming pools, children’s music and arts schools carried out for the moneys of the Children’s Sports Development Fund. The discussion also included issues concerning the targeted and effective use of the funds, notably, with regard to training highly qualified sports coaches, especially women, widespread engagement of girls and young women in sports, uplifting the effectiveness of the employment of sports facilities and securing the mass character of going in for sports. Also, the meeting has helped delineate priority tasks for future action.

On topics discussed, participants were presented reports by the First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Finance Rustam Azimov, Deputy Prime Ministers Botir Zokirov, Elmira Basitkhanova, Adham Ikramov, heads of a range of ministries and government agencies, as well as hokims (governors) of regions.

Due resolutions have been approved with respect to issues under deliberation.