Prospects for Cooperation Between the Rugby Federations of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Discussed at UWED

On August 6, 2026, the University of World Economy and Diplomacy hosted an official meeting between the leadership of the Uzbekistan Rugby Federation and a delegation from the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The meeting was organized following the Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan Business Forum, which was held in Tashkent on August 4–5 at the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Upon completion of the business programme, a separate meeting was held between the heads of the rugby federations of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It focused on the development of bilateral cooperation and the strengthening of partnership ties in the field of rugby.

The meeting was attended by Sodyq Safoev, Chairman of the Uzbekistan Rugby Federation, First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy; Kahramon Jalilov, Secretary General of the Uzbekistan Rugby Federation; Kanat Sharlapayev, President of the Kazakhstan Rugby Federation and Chairman of the Presidium of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; and Murat Karimsakov, Chairman of the Board of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan and Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs.

During the talks, the parties discussed promising areas of cooperation between the national federations. Particular attention was paid to the development of youth and university rugby, the exchange of experience in training athletes and specialists, the organization of joint training camps and international competitions, as well as the implementation of initiatives aimed at further promoting rugby across Central Asia.

The participants also considered ways to expand regional cooperation and combine the efforts of the national federations in order to enhance the competitiveness of Central Asian rugby on the international stage.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their mutual interest in strengthening the partnership and expressed confidence that closer cooperation between the rugby federations of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan would represent an important step towards the further promotion of the sport throughout the region.