Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 20 November, the final events of the Save Aral project took place on the territory of the Pakhtakor stadium: the Ekiden sports relay and a massive charity run, timed to coincide with the Day of Adopting the State Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 

The event was organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the National Olympic Committee, the Athletics Federation of Uzbekistan, the Triathlon Federation and with the support of the Tashkent city administration.

According to the organizers, the Save Aral sports charity races are intended to draw the attention of the general public to the environmental disaster associated with the drying up of the Aral Sea and entailing a number of environmental, socio-economic and demographic problems in the region.

The Save Aral project is also aimed at popularizing a healthy lifestyle among the population, attracting the younger generation to physical culture and sports, and integrating people with disabilities into active social life.

Within the framework of the International high-level conference "Aral Sea Region - a zone of environmental innovations and technologies" held in 2019, on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the "Save Aral" project was launched for the first time in the cities of the country.

In the first year, the Save Aral races were held in 6 cities, in the second - in 16 cities, in 2021 10 cities were covered and Tashkent became the final point.

In his inaugural speech on 6 November 2021, the President called for the activation of systemic and comprehensive measures to implement the special resolution adopted on 18 May 2021 at the plenary session of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies.

Creating a sustainable, safe and healthy environment for future generations first and foremost begins with a healthy lifestyle, which is at the heart of the large-scale Save Aral initiative.

Over 100 thousand people have taken part in the races over the years of the sports initiative. Save Aral expands its boundaries with every stage, becoming a popular sports movement and involving the population, regardless of age, gender and level of physical fitness, in mass sports. In addition to awards for the winners, the race has established special nominations for the youngest and oldest participants and a special nomination "For the will to win" for participants with disabilities. The winning teams in the Ekiden sports relay were also awarded with mementos and prizes.

“For the harmonious physical and spiritual development of the nation, sport must become a part of our daily life,” notes Andrey Abduvaliev, chairman of the Athletics Federation. “Sport is a bridge to the formation of a strong character and will of every person. The state pays great attention to the development of mass sports in the republic today. The Federation is joining this ambitious task by participating in the organization of mass sporting events. "

27 teams have registered to participate in the Ekiden sports relay.

Ekiden relay winner teams:

1. Educational and sports complex of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan

2. Initiative team from Kashkadarya region

3.Uzbek State University of Physical Culture and Sports

Winners of the final Tashkent city stage of the "Save Aral -2021" race:

Among women:

1. Silchenkova Anastasia

2. Akkuzieva Marjona

3.Alimova Iroda

Among men:

1.Davatov Shokhrukh

2.Mirsoatov Hasan

3.Toshkuvattov Otabek

Special nominations:

"The oldest male participant" - Mars Mamasharipov (70 years old)

"The oldest female participant" - Nurmatova Ramilya (66 years old)

"Nordic walking" - Marina Rakhimova

"The youngest male participant" - Nosirov Alisher (7 years old)

"The youngest female participant" - Nosirova Malika (10 years old)