Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 19 August, a plane landed at the Tashkent airport, arriving from the Turkish city of Konya. On board is the national team of Uzbekistan, which successfully performed at the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games.

Athletes in the terminal of domestic airlines were solemnly welcomed by relatives, friends, coaches, representatives of ministries and departments, journalists from various media and bloggers. Also, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and Press Secretary of the President Sherzod Asadov came to the airport to congratulate the champions and prize-winners of the Islamic Solidarity Games.

At an organized event, Sherzod Asadov read out the congratulations of the President of Uzbekistan to our athletes.

In his congratulations, the head of our state especially noted the great skill, strength, resilience, will and desire for victory of the members of our national team, who won 51 gold, 42 silver and 65 bronze medals in competitions involving 4,200 athletes from 56 countries. On behalf of all our people and on my own behalf, I expressed gratitude to the parents, coaches and mentors who brought up real patriots, devoted to their country and having high potential.

Uzbekistani athletes won 158 medals in the overall standings, of which 51 were gold, 42 were silver and 65 were bronze. The weightlifters were especially distinguished, who brought 15 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals to the country’s total treasury. In total, 4,000 athletes from 56 countries of the world participated in the Games. The national team, consisting of 265 athletes, took an honorable second place, losing only to the hosts of the tournament.