On Friday 15 July, AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu honoured Islam Karimov, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the AIBA Order of Merit in presence of Mr Usmanov Mirabror Uzbekistan National Olympic Committee President and Mr Karim Bouzidi, AIBA Executive Director.

The Uzbek leader receives the award for special merits in the development and promotion of sports and the Olympic Movement, as well as in recognition for dedication and devotion to the development of boxing at national and international levels.

“It was an honour to meet with President Karimov today and to hold high-level discussions with the leader of a country with such a prestigious boxing history. The Order of Merit is richly deserved for all the work being done to promote sport here in Uzbekistan, and I wish the team well at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Rio,” declared AIBA President after the meeting.

Dr Wu presented the order to President Karimov during a meeting at the Oqsaroy Presidential residence in Tashkent after the two had discussed the development of boxing in Uzbekistan, part of a fostering of increased cooperation between the two.

The AIBA President has been impressed by the government’s progressive policies regarding sports programmes for children and the promotion of healthier lifestyles, reflected in Uzbekistan’s growing stature in the international sports arena. He also expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended to himself and the entire AIBA family following the meeting of the Executive Committee in Tashkent earlier in the week.

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