On May 25, Tajikistan celebrated World Football Day for the first time, established on the initiative of Tajikistan by the UN General Assembly.
This day has become a symbol of international recognition of the role of football in uniting nations, and Tajikistan's participation in the creation of the holiday is a landmark moment in the country's sports diplomacy.
In his congratulatory message to the Tajik people, President Emomali Rahmon emphasized the role of football in strengthening peace and friendship, noted the growing popularity of sports in the country and the achievements of the national teams, including reaching the 2023 Asian Cup and participating in the futsal World Cup.
According to Emomali Rahmon, the development of football remains the government's priority: thousands of sports grounds have been built in the country, state programs are working, and young people are actively involved.
The head of the Football Federation of Tajikistan, the chairman of the city of Dushanbe and the head of the Majlisi Milli Majlisi Oli, Rustam Emomali, welcomed athletes and fans with the first ever date to receive the status of the official international football Day.
"This historic event has received broad support from the international community. We are proud that Tajikistan initiated the resolution, which now unites millions of fans of the most popular game on the planet," he stressed.
He noted the growing interest in football among Tajik youth, the success of the country's national teams and the significant development of infrastructure thanks to government programs.
He also expressed confidence that Tajikistan's participation in the celebration of World Football Day at the UN level creates a solid foundation for future sporting achievements.
Celebrations in New York and across the country
On May 22, in New York, at the UN headquarters, a solemn ceremony was held in honor of the new holiday. Rustam Emomali himself took part in it, as a representative of the initiator country and head of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA).
Football festivals were held in Tajikistan on May 25 in Dushanbe, Khujand, Kulyab and other cities.
Schools, academies and clubs held open training sessions, tournaments and meetings with football veterans.
The Super Bowl is the central event of the day
The main match of the holiday was the match for the Super Cup of Tajikistan, which was held at the stadium in Hissar.
Istiqlol and Regar-TadAZ drew 1-1 in regular and extra time, and the capital club won the penalty shootout (5-4).
For Istiklol, this trophy has already become the thirteenth in its history.
Joshua Akpudje was recognized as the best player of the match for the Tajik Super Cup: the defender of Istiqlol scored a goal in the 83rd minute and helped the team defeat Regar-TadAZ.
This is how the first World Football Day took place - a day that has forever entered the calendar thanks to Tajikistan and which will annually remind the whole world of the power of football to unite people.
How Tajikistan promoted the idea at the UN Assembly
On May 7, 2024, the UN General Assembly declared May 25 World Football Day in connection with the centenary of the first international football tournament with the participation of teams from all continents.
On May 25, 1924, the football tournament at the Paris Summer Olympics began, where for the first time in history, teams from Europe, South and North America, Africa and Asia participated in an international football sports competition.
The UN resolution highlights the role of football in promoting peace, development and inclusivity, as well as in bringing nations together regardless of culture, gender, age or social origin.
The resolution states that football promotes: health and well-being, equality, sustainable development, solidarity and friendship between peoples.
The initiators of the resolution were Tajikistan and Bahrain, and then it was supported by more than 160 States.
It became a kind of recognition of football's influence on world culture and diplomacy. The resolution was adopted on May 7, 2024 at the plenary session of the UN General Assembly.
Руcский