Editing Uzbekistan (section)

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Uzbekistan}}
{{See also|Kurash|Islam in Uzbekistan|Scout Association of Uzbekistan}}
[[File:Taschkent - Art of Uzbekistan.jpg|thumb|Traditional Uzbek [[pottery]]]]
[[File:Theatre Alisher Navoi.JPG|thumb|right|[[Navoi Theater|Navoi Opera Theater]] in [[Tashkent]]]]
Uzbekistan has a wide mix of ethnic groups and cultures, with the [[Uzbeks|Uzbek]] being the majority group. In 1995 about 71% of Uzbekistan's population was Uzbek. The chief minority groups were Russians (8%), [[Tajiks]] (3–4.7%),<ref name="Karl Cordell 1999. pg 201"/><ref name="Lena Jonson 2006. pg 108"/>{{sfnp|Foltz|1996|pp=213–6}}<ref name="cornellcaspian.com"/> [[Kazakhs]] (4%), [[Tatars]] (2.5%) and [[Karakalpaks]] (2%). It is said, however, that non-Uzbeks decline as Russians and other minority groups slowly leave and Uzbeks return from other parts of the former [[Soviet Union]].
[[File:Suzani (Boukhara, Ouzbékistan) (5657423581).jpg|thumb|Embroidery from Uzbekistan]]
When Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, there was concern that [[Muslim fundamentalism]] would spread across the region.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Uzbekistan's History With Islam Might Explain a Lot About the New York Attack Suspect|url=https://time.com/5005629/new-york-attack-manhattan-saipov-uzbekistan/|access-date=5 January 2021|magazine=Time|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033909/https://time.com/5005629/new-york-attack-manhattan-saipov-uzbekistan/|url-status=live}}</ref> The expectation was that a country long denied freedom of religious practice would undergo a very rapid increase in the expression of its dominant faith.

According to a 2009 Pew Research report, Uzbekistan's population is 96.3% Muslim; around 54% identifies as non-denominational Muslim, 18% as Sunni and 1% as Shia. Furthermore, 11% say they belong to a Sufi order.<ref>{{cite web|date=9 August 2012|title=Religious Identity Among Muslims|url=https://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/|access-date=8 July 2021|website=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|language=en-US|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620101838/http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Media ===
{{Main|Mass media in Uzbekistan}}

=== Music ===
{{main|Music of Uzbekistan}}
[[File:Boukhara 4696a.jpg|thumb|Silk and Spice Festival in [[Bukhara]]]]
Central Asian classical music is called [[Shashmaqam]], which arose in [[Bukhara]] in the late 16th century when that city was a regional capital.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 October 2018|title=Shashmaqam - Music and Poetry of Central Asia|url=https://voicesoncentralasia.org/shashmaqam-music-and-poetry-of-central-asia/|access-date=7 July 2021|website=Voices On Central Asia|language=en-US|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184638/https://voicesoncentralasia.org/shashmaqam-music-and-poetry-of-central-asia/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shashmaqam is closely related to [[Azerbaijan]]i [[Mugam]] and [[Uyghur muqam]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Musical and Ontological Possibilities of Mugham Creativity in pre-Soviet, Soviet, and post-Soviet Azerbaijan|url=https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/80818/3/Dessiatnitchenko_Polina_201711_PhD_thesis.pdf|access-date=7 July 2021|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830072956/https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/80818/3/Dessiatnitchenko_Polina_201711_PhD_thesis.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The name, which translates as ''six maqams'' refers to the structure of the music, which contains six sections in six different [[Musical mode]]s, similar to classical [[Persian traditional music]]. Interludes of spoken [[Sufi poetry]] interrupt the music, typically beginning at a lower register and gradually ascending to a climax before calming back down to the beginning tone.

=== Education ===
{{main|Education in Uzbekistan}}
Uzbekistan has a high [[literacy rate]], with 99.9% of adults above the age of 15 being able to read and write.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 November 2016|title=Uzbekistan|url=http://uis.unesco.org/en/country/uz|access-date=5 January 2021|website=uis.unesco.org|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128044605/http://uis.unesco.org/en/country/uz|url-status=live}}</ref> However, with only 76% of the under-15 population currently enrolled in education (and only 20% of the 3–6 year olds attending pre-school), this figure may drop in the future. Students attend school Monday through Saturday during the school year, and education officially concludes at the end of the 11th grade.

Uzbekistan has encountered severe budget shortfalls in its education programme. The education law of 1992 began the process of theoretical reform, but the physical base has deteriorated and curriculum revision has been slow. Corruption within the education system is rampant, with students from wealthier families routinely bribing teachers and school executives to achieve high grades without attending school, or undertaking official examinations.<ref>Kozlova, Marina (21 January 2008) [http://chalkboard.tol.org/uzbekistan-lessons-in-graft Uzbekistan: Lessons in Graft] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608053517/http://chalkboard.tol.org/uzbekistan-lessons-in-graft |date=8 June 2012 }}. Chalkboard.tol.org</ref>

Several universities, including [[Westminster International University in Tashkent|Westminster University]], [[Turin University]], [[Management Development Institute of Singapore in Tashkent|Management University Institute of Singapore]], Bucheon University in Tashkent, [[TEAM University Tashkent|TEAM University]] and [[Inha University Tashkent]] maintain a campus in Tashkent offering English language courses across several disciplines. The Russian-language high education is provided by most national universities, including foreign [[Moscow State University]] and [[Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas]], maintaining campuses in Tashkent. As of 2019, [[Webster University]], in partnership with the Ministry of Education (now Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation), has opened a graduate school offering an MBA in Project Management and a MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).

There are three Islamic institutes and an academy in Uzbekistan. They are [[Tashkent islamic institute]], [[Mir Arab high school]], [[School of hadith knowledge]], [[International islamic academy of Uzbekistan]].{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

=== Holidays ===
{{See also|Public holidays in Uzbekistan}}

{{Div col}}
* 1 January: [[New Year's Day]], "Yangi Yil Bayrami"
* 14 January: [[Defender of the Motherland Day|Day of Defenders of the Motherland]], "Vatan Himoyachilari kuni"
* 8 March: [[International Women's Day]], "Xalqaro Xotin-Qizlar kuni"
* 21 March: [[Nowruz]], "Navro{{okina}}z Bayrami"
* 9 May: [[Day of Remembrance and Honour]], "Xotira va Qadrlash kuni"
* 1 September: [[Independence Day]], "Mustaqillik kuni"
* 1 October: [[List of Teachers' Days|Teachers' Day]], "O{{okina}}qituvchi va Murabbiylar kuni"
* 8 December: [[Constitution Day]], "Konstitutsiya kuni"
 {{div col end}}

''Variable date''
* End of [[Ramadan]], Ramazon Hayiti ([[Eid al-Fitr]])
* 70 days later, Qurbon Hayiti ([[Eid al-Adha]])

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Uzbek cuisine}}
{{See also|List of Uzbek dishes|Soviet cuisine}}
[[File:Plov.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Pilaf|Palov]]'']]
[[File:Uzbek Manti (bright).jpg|thumb|right|Uzbek [[Manti (food)|manti]]]]
Uzbek cuisine is influenced by local [[agriculture]]; since there is a great deal of grain farming in Uzbekistan, bread and noodles are of importance and Uzbek cuisine has been characterised as "noodle-rich". [[Lamb and mutton|Mutton]] is a popular variety of meat due to the abundance of [[sheep]] in the country and it is part of various Uzbek dishes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mutton from Central Asia|url=https://www.pilotguides.com/articles/mutton-from-central-asia/|access-date=8 July 2021|website=Pilot Guides|language=en-US|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185344/https://www.pilotguides.com/articles/mutton-from-central-asia/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Uzbekistan's signature dish is [[Pilaf|''palov'']] (or ''plov''), a main course typically made with rice, meat, carrots, and onions, though it was not available to ordinary people until the 1930s.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} There are many regional variations of the dish. Often the fat found near the sheep tail, ''qurdiuq'', is used. In the past, the cooking of ''palov'' was reserved for men, but the Soviets allowed women to cook it as well. Since then, it seems, the old gender roles have been restored.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rizvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA226 |pages= |title=Crossroads of Cuisine: The Eurasian Heartland, the Silk Roads and Food |editor1-first=Paul David |editor1-last=Buell |editor2-first=Eugene N. |editor2-last=Anderson |editor3-first=Montserrat de Pablo |editor3-last=Moya |editor4-first=Moldir |editor4-last=Oskenbay |publisher=BRILL |year=2020 |isbn=9789004432109 |access-date=3 July 2022 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202184355/https://books.google.com/books?id=rizvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA226 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other notable national dishes include [[Chorba|shurpa]], a soup made of large pieces of fatty meat (usually mutton), and fresh vegetables;<ref>{{cite web|title=Uzbek shurpa – one of the most popular dishes in the Uzbek cuisine|url=https://www.people-travels.com/about-uzbekistan/uzbek-cuisine/uzbek-shurpa.html|access-date=8 July 2021|website=www.people-travels.com|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185950/https://www.people-travels.com/about-uzbekistan/uzbek-cuisine/uzbek-shurpa.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Naryn (dish)|norin]] and ''[[Laghman (food)|laghman]]'', noodle-based dishes that may be served as a soup or a main course;<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Most Popular Foods You Have To Eat In Uzbekistan (2019)|url=https://uzwifi.com/en/blog/10-most-popular-foods-you-have-to-eat-in-uzbekistan-2019|access-date=8 July 2021|website=uzwifi.com|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184908/https://uzwifi.com/en/blog/10-most-popular-foods-you-have-to-eat-in-uzbekistan-2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Manti (food)|manti]], [[Joshpara|chuchvara]], and ''[[Samsa (food)|somsa]]'', stuffed pockets of [[dough]] served as an appetiser or a main course; [[dimlama]], a meat and vegetable stew; and various [[kebab]]s, usually served as a main course.

[[Green tea]] is the national hot beverage consumed throughout the day; [[teahouse]]s (''chaikhanas'') are of cultural importance.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Guide to Uzbekistan Tea Traditions|work=TeaMuse|url=https://www.teamuse.com/article_210402.html|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190413/https://www.teamuse.com/article_210402.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Black tea]] is preferred in [[Tashkent]], but both green and black teas are consumed daily, without milk or sugar. Tea always accompanies a meal, but it is also a drink of hospitality that is automatically offered: green or black to every guest.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tea traditions in Uzbekistan|url=http://uzbek-travel.com/about-uzbekistan/facts/tea-traditions/|access-date=8 July 2021|website=uzbek-travel.com|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709192144/http://uzbek-travel.com/about-uzbekistan/facts/tea-traditions/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ayran]], a chilled yogurt drink, is popular in summer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Uzbek sour-milk products – indelible dishes of the Uzbek dastarkhan|url=https://www.people-travels.com/about-uzbekistan/uzbek-food/uzbek-sour-milk-dishes.html|access-date=8 July 2021|website=www.people-travels.com|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185134/https://www.people-travels.com/about-uzbekistan/uzbek-food/uzbek-sour-milk-dishes.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The use of alcohol is less widespread than in the West, but wine is comparatively popular for a Muslim nation as Uzbekistan is largely secular. Uzbekistan has 14 wineries, the oldest and most famous being the Khovrenko Winery in [[Samarkand]] (established in 1927).<ref>{{cite web|title=What to eat and drink in Uzbekistan|url=https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/asia/uzbekistan/|access-date=8 July 2021|website=World Travel Guide|language=en-US|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724065732/https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/asia/uzbekistan/|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of vineyards in and around Tashkent are also growing in popularity, including Chateau Hamkor.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://perito-burrito.com/posts/ne-tolko-plov-i-golubye-kupola-chem-vpechatlyaet-uzbekistan-za-predelami-khivy-bukhary-i-samarkanda |title=Не только плов и голубые купола: чем впечатляет Узбекистан за &#124; Perito |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122174130/https://perito-burrito.com/posts/ne-tolko-plov-i-golubye-kupola-chem-vpechatlyaet-uzbekistan-za-predelami-khivy-bukhary-i-samarkanda |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Sport ===
<!--- Caution should be taken to ensure that the sections are not simply a listing of names or mini biographies of individuals accomplishments. Good example Canada#Sports. --->
{{Main|Sport in Uzbekistan}}
{{See also|Uzbekistan at the Olympics|Football in Uzbekistan|Rugby union in Uzbekistan}}
[[File:Bunyodkor stadium2 b.jpg|thumb|[[Milliy Stadium]] in [[Tashkent]]]]
Uzbekistan is home to former racing cyclist [[Djamolidine Abdoujaparov]]. Abdoujaparov won the [[green jersey]] points contest in the [[Tour de France]] three times.<ref>{{cite web |title=Le Tours archive |url=http://www.letour.fr/HISTO/us/TDF/coureur/4976.html |access-date=23 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111162430/http://www.letour.fr/HISTO/us/TDF/coureur/4976.html |archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref> Abdoujaparov was a specialist at winning stages in tours or one-day races when the bunch or [[peloton]] would finish together. He would often 'sprint' in the final kilometer and had a reputation as being dangerous in these bunch sprints as he would weave from side to side. This reputation earned him the nickname 'The Terror of Tashkent'.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 May 2014 |title=Where Are They Now? Djamolidine Abdoujaparov |url=https://cyclingtips.com/2014/05/where-are-they-now-djamolidine-abdoujaparov/|access-date=8 July 2021 |website=CyclingTips|archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184822/https://cyclingtips.com/2014/05/where-are-they-now-djamolidine-abdoujaparov/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Artur Taymazov]] won Uzbekistan's inaugural wrestling medal at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]], followed by three Olympic gold medals in Men's 120&nbsp;kg in [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004]], [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008]] and [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012]]. His 2008 gold was taken away in 2017 after a re-testing of samples from the Beijing Games and Taymazov was later stripped of his London 2012 Olympic gold medal after re-analysis of stored samples in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=artur-taymazov latest news & coverage |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/topic/artur-taymazov|access-date=8 July 2021|website=CNA|language=en|url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184235/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/topic/artur-taymazov}}</ref> His London gold had made him the most successful freestyle competitor in Olympic history. He is the 60th athlete to be disqualified from the London Olympics after the event.<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 July 2019|title=Uzbek wrestler Taymazov stripped of London 2012 gold medal|language=en|work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-doping-wrestling-idUSKCN1UI2IW|access-date=7 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185057/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-doping-wrestling-idUSKCN1UI2IW}}</ref>

=== Boxing ===
[[Boxing]] is also one of the most popular sports in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has four Olympic champions, winners of two silver and eight bronze medals at the Olympic Games in this sport. The country also has more medal winners in boxing at the Asian Games, the [[Asian Boxing Championships|Asian Championships]] and the [[IBA World Boxing Championships|World]]. At the [[2016 Summer Olympics]], Uzbekistan [[Boxing at the 2016 Summer Olympics|boxing]] team took first place in the medal standings in boxing, winning 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals. At the [[2024 Summer Olympics]], the Uzbekistan boxing team performed even better: five uzbek boxers [[Boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics|were awarded]] gold medals.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.sport-express.ru/olympics/summer/boxing/reviews/ |title=Uzbekistan proved at the Olympics that it is number one in boxing /}}</ref>

[[Ruslan Chagaev]] is a former professional boxer representing Uzbekistan in the WBA. He won the WBA champion title in 2007 after defeating Nikolai Valuev.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Starck|first=Peter|date=15 April 2007|title=Chagaev beats Valuev to lift heavyweight title|language=en |work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boxing-chagaev-idUSL1402374320070415|access-date=8 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709192012/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boxing-chagaev-idUSL1402374320070415 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chagaev defended his title twice before losing it to Vladimir Klitschko in 2009. Another young talented boxer [[Hasanboy Dusmatov]], light flyweight champion at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]], won the [[Val Barker Trophy]] for the outstanding male boxer of Rio 2016 on 21 August 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aiba.org/blog/uzbekistans-new-olympic-light-flyweight-champion-hasanboy-dusmatov-wins-val-barker-trophy-outstanding-male-boxer-rio-2016/ |title= Uzbekistan's new Olympic Light Flyweight Champion Hasanboy Dusmatov wins the Val Barker Trophy for the outstanding male boxer of Rio 2016 |publisher= AIBA |access-date= 21 August 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160823132705/http://www.aiba.org/blog/uzbekistans-new-olympic-light-flyweight-champion-hasanboy-dusmatov-wins-val-barker-trophy-outstanding-male-boxer-rio-2016/ |archive-date= 23 August 2016 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> On 21 December 2016 Dusmatov was honoured with the AIBA Boxer of the Year award at a 70-year anniversary event of [[International Boxing Association|AIBA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aiba.org/blog/aiba-celebrates-70-year-anniversary-gala-dinner-company-boxing-legends/ |title=AIBA celebrates 70-year anniversary with Gala Dinner in the company of Boxing Legends|publisher=AIBA |access-date=21 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224043205/http://www.aiba.org/blog/aiba-celebrates-70-year-anniversary-gala-dinner-company-boxing-legends/|archive-date=24 December 2016}}</ref>

[[Michael Kolganov]], an Uzbek–born sprint canoer, was world champion and won an Olympic bronze in Sydney in the K1 500-meter in 2000 on behalf of Israel.<ref>{{cite web|last=IOC|title=Sydney 2000 Canoe Sprint - Olympic Results by Discipline |url=https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/sydney-2000/results/canoe-sprint|access-date=8 July 2021|website=Olympics.com|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710081716/https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/sydney-2000/results/canoe-sprint |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009 and 2011, another Uzbek émigré, gymnast [[Alexander Shatilov]], won a world bronze medal as an [[Artistic gymnastics|artistic gymnast]] in floor exercise, though he lives in and represents Israel in international competitions.{{citation needed|date=May 2023|reason=Previous URL: <nowiki>https://www.haaretz.com/hblocked</nowiki> is a generic page to subscribe to Haaretz.}} [[Oksana Chusovitina]] has attended eight Olympic games, and won five world medals in artistic gymnastics including an Olympic gold. Some of those medals were won while representing Germany and the Soviet Union, though she currently competes for Uzbekistan.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 August 2016|title=The most incredible athlete in Rio?|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/17211754/41-year-old-oksana-chusovitina-most-incredible-athlete-olympics|access-date=8 July 2021|url-status=live|language=en |website=ESPN.com|archive-date=15 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815005929/http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/17211754/41-year-old-oksana-chusovitina-most-incredible-athlete-olympics}}</ref>

Uzbekistan is the home of the International [[Kurash]] Association.<ref>{{cite web|title=IKA {{!}} International Kurash Association|url=https://kurash-ika.org/en/|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=15 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715182439/http://kurash-ika.org/en/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kurash is an internationalised and modernised form of traditional Uzbek wrestling.

[[Association football|Football]] is the most popular sport in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's premier football league is the [[Uzbekistan Super League|Uzbek Super League]], which has consisted of 16 teams since 2015. The current champions (2022) are [[Pakhtakor Tashkent FK|FC Pakhtakor]]. [[Pakhtakor Tashkent FK|Pakhtakor]] holds the record for the most Uzbekistan champion titles, having won the league ten times. Uzbekistan's football clubs regularly participate in the [[AFC Champions League]] and the [[AFC Cup]]. [[FC Nasaf|FC Nasaf Qarashi]] won the [[2011 AFC Cup|AFC Cup in 2011]], the first international club cup for Uzbek football.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stock Photo - Players of Uzbekistan's Nasaf FC celebrate their winning AFC Cup 2011 final soccer match against Al-Kuwait of Kuwait in Karshi October 29, 2011. REUTERS/Tariq AlAli|url=https://www.alamy.com/players-of-uzbekistans-nasaf-fc-celebrate-their-winning-afc-cup-2011-final-soccer-match-against-al-kuwait-of-kuwait-in-karshi-october-29-2011-reuterstariq-alali-uzbekistan-tags-sport-soccer-image378277201.html|access-date=8 July 2021|website=Alamy|language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190434/https://www.alamy.com/players-of-uzbekistans-nasaf-fc-celebrate-their-winning-afc-cup-2011-final-soccer-match-against-al-kuwait-of-kuwait-in-karshi-october-29-2011-reuterstariq-alali-uzbekistan-tags-sport-soccer-image378277201.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Where are they now? FC Nasaf's 2011 AFC Cup winners {{!}} Football {{!}} News {{!}} AFC Cup 2021|url=https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/where-are-they-now-fc-nasaf-s-2011-afc-cup-winners|access-date=8 July 2021|website=the-AFC|language=en-GB|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184531/https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/where-are-they-now-fc-nasaf-s-2011-afc-cup-winners|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Humo Tashkent]], a professional ice hockey team was established in 2019 with the aim of joining [[Kontinental Hockey League]] (KHL), a top level Eurasian league in the future.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ice Hockey - Humo Tashkent (Uzbekistan) : palmares, results and name|url=https://www.the-sports.org/ice-hockey-humo-tashkent-results-identity-equ83133.html|access-date=7 July 2021|website=www.the-sports.org|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185009/https://www.the-sports.org/ice-hockey-humo-tashkent-results-identity-equ83133.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Humo will join the second-tier [[Supreme Hockey League]] (VHL) for the 2019–20 season. Humo play their games at the [[Humo Ice Dome]] which cost over €175 million in construction; both the team and arena derive their name from the mythical [[Huma bird]], a symbol of happiness and freedom.<ref name=Logo>{{cite web|title=Bird of Happiness - a symbol of the HC HUMO|url=http://uihf.uz/news#tab115|language=ru|date=22 July 2019|access-date=27 July 2019|archive-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720112541/http://www.uihf.uz/news#tab115|url-status=live}}</ref> Uzbekistan Hockey Federation (UHF) began preparation for forming national ice hockey team in joining [[International Ice Hockey Federation|IIHF]] competitions.<ref>{{cite web|last=akbaryusupov|title=Tashkent-based Humo club to play in Higher Hockey League in 2019-2020 season|url=https://tashkenttimes.uz/sports/3971-tashkent-based-humo-club-to-play-in-higher-hockey-league-in-2019-2020-season|access-date=8 July 2021|website=tashkenttimes.uz|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185733/https://tashkenttimes.uz/sports/3971-tashkent-based-humo-club-to-play-in-higher-hockey-league-in-2019-2020-season|url-status=live}}</ref>

Before Uzbekistan's independence in 1991, the country was part of the Soviet Union [[Soviet Union national football team|football]], [[Soviet Union national rugby union team|rugby union]], [[Soviet Union men's national basketball team|basketball]], [[Soviet Union men's national ice hockey team|ice hockey]], and handball national teams. After independence, Uzbekistan created its own [[Uzbekistan national football team|football]], [[Uzbekistan national rugby union team|rugby union]], [[Uzbekistan men's national basketball team|basketball]] and [[Uzbekistan national futsal team|futsal]] national teams.

[[Tennis]] is a very popular sport in Uzbekistan, especially after Uzbekistan's sovereignty in 1991. Uzbekistan has its own Tennis Federation called the "UTF" (Uzbekistan Tennis Federation), created in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|last=UzDaily|title=UTF has played a big role in promotion of tennis in Uzbekistan- Kafelnikov|url=https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/post/15786|access-date=7 July 2021|website=UzDaily.uz|language=ru|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183359/https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/post/15786|url-status=live}}</ref> Uzbekistan also hosts an International WTA tennis tournament, the "Tashkent Open", held in Uzbekistan's capital city. This tournament has been held since 1999, and is played on outdoor hard courts. The most notable active players from Uzbekistan are [[Denis Istomin]] and [[Akgul Amanmuradova]].<ref>{{cite web|last=UzDaily|title=Denis Istomin wins, Amanmuradova loses|url=https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/post/14230|access-date=7 July 2021|website=UzDaily.uz|language=ru|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190556/https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/post/14230|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Chess]] is quite popular in Uzbekistan. The country boasts [[Rustam Kasimdzhanov]], who was the [[FIDE World Chess Championship 2004|FIDE World Chess Champion in 2004]], and many junior players like [[Nodirbek Abdusattorov]], the 2021 [[World Rapid Chess Championship|World Rapid Chess Champion]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rustam Kasimdzhanov {{!}} Top Chess Players|url=https://www.chess.com/players/rustam-kasimdzhanov|access-date=7 July 2021|website=Chess.com|language=en-US|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729132753/https://www.chess.com/players/rustam-kasimdzhanov|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nodirbek Abdusattorov {{!}} Top Chess Players |url=https://www.chess.com/players/nodirbek-abdusattorov |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=Chess.com |language=en-US |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506213148/https://www.chess.com/players/nodirbek-abdusattorov |url-status=live }}</ref> The Uzbek team – consisting of GM [[Nodirbek Abdusattorov]], GM [[Nodirbek Yakubboev]], GM [[Javokhir Sindarov]], GM [[Shamsiddin Vokhidov]] and GM [[Jahongir Vakhidov]] won gold at the [[44th Chess Olympiad]] in Chennai.<ref>{{cite web |title=Uzbekistan youngsters surprise winners of 44th Chess Olympiad |url=https://www.fide.com/news/1915 |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=Fide.com |language=en-US |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809152957/https://www.fide.com/news/1915 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other popular sports in Uzbekistan include [[basketball]], [[judo]], [[Handball|team handball]], [[baseball]], [[taekwondo]], and [[futsal]].

[[Ulugbek Rashitov]], won the country's first Olympic gold medal in taekwondo, at the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021.

In 2022, the [[2022 World Judo Championships|World Judo Championships]] were held in Tashkent.

In 2024, the [[2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup|FIFA Futsal World Cup]] was held in Uzbekistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=The William wall spurs Brazil to sixth star |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/futsalworldcup/uzbekistan-2024 |access-date=6 October 2024 |website=Fifa.com |language=en-US }}</ref>

In 2025, Uzbek international [[footballer]]  [[Abdukodir Khusanov]], a [[center-back]], transferred from [[RC Lens|Lens]] to [[Manchester City]] on a four-and-a-half-year deal, becoming the first Uzbek player to compete in the [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Rising talent in Ligue 1 becomes Premier League's first Uzbek player |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/4220864 |website=premierleague.com |access-date=20 January 2025 |language=en-US }}</ref>

=== UNESCO World Heritage sites ===
Uzbekistan has five cultural and two natural sites on the [[UNESCO]] World Heritage list. The cultural sites are:

* [[Itchan Kala]] ([[Khiva]]), added in 1990
* [[Bukhara|Historic Centre of Bukhara]], added in 1993
* [[Shakhrisyabz|Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz]], added in 2000
* [[Samarkand|Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures]], added in 2001
* [[Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor]], added in 2023

The natural sites are:

* [[Tien-Shan|Western Tien-Shan]], added in 2016
* Cold Winter Deserts of [[Turan]], added in 2023<ref name="Uzbek2">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/uz|title=Uzbek|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=20 July 2017}}</ref>