Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 14 May 2021, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Republican Specialized scientific and practical medical center of Oncology and Radiology, where he talked with children and encouraged their parents. During the visit, the children shared their interests with the head of state, one of the children expressed an interest in chess.

On 15 May, according to the instructions of the President, the children who were undergoing treatment at the medical center were presented with chess boards. Experts in this field played chess with the children and shared their experience. Children and their parents expressed joy and shared their interests and dreams.

During the meeting with the President, interest in chess was expressed by Saidjon Salimjanov, a 3-A grade student of school No. 28 in Fergana, after which the boy’s dream of becoming a professional chess player.

“My son has been interested in chess since childhood, he played chess with his toys. Seeing his interest, his father brought a chessboard. When he was 5 years old, we took him to a chess club in Fergana and gave him a talented coach Adhamjon Eminov as a student. Later, a branch of the Tashkent Chess academy was opened in Fergana, where Saidjon is currently studying. In his age group, children are trained by Ravil Vinerovich. He participated in a number of city and regional competitions. Last year, he took part in a chess tournament, where he took 1st place in the city and regional stages, after which he entered the republican stage. However, he suddenly fell ill and was hospitalized, he was diagnosed with a dangerous liver tumor, so he could not go to the competition,” said the mother of Saidjon Makhliyo Ziyoyev.

Makhliyo Ziyoyeva also thanked the doctors and said that her son’s operations were successful and that he is currently undergoing postoperative rehabilitation.

“Yesterday our esteemed head of state visited the hospital, which brought hope and joy to the hearts of all children and mothers. Saidjon has been happy since yesterday, saying, “Mom, my chess dreams are coming true,” which helped him forget about his illness. Today, on behalf of the President, we were presented with a professional chessboard, a chess coach was assigned to my son. In addition, we were promised to present a computer with all chess programs. Many thanks to the President for such attention. I hope my son will continue to practice his favorite hobby - chess, and someday he will raise the flag of Uzbekistan, participating in the Asian and world championships,” Saidjon’s mother added with tears in her eyes.

Most of the children undergoing treatment at the center are interested in chess. Among them - Jasurbek Abduganiev from Jizzakh region, also shares these interests and dreams.

“In Jizzak, I went to a chess club with a classmate, and since then this sport interests me more and more. When I get well, I want to continue playing chess, studying well, getting a good job and giving my parents a home,” he said. According to Ozoda Eshmirzaeva, her son Dzhasurbek has been studying at the chess club for more than a year. 

“I am interested in football, I like to watch the games of the Spanish club Barcelona. When I grow up, I dream of becoming a police officer and wearing a police uniform,” said another patient from Bukhara, Ozodbek Fayziev.

Temurbek Botirov from Alat district of Bukhara region, who is undergoing treatment at the center, said that after treatment he would go in for sports with his friends.

“I am also very interested in computer programming. I also like to build structures from different objects. When I grow up, I want to be an architect,” he added.

Summing up, we can say that there are many interests and dreams of children. The parents said that after the visit of the head of state, their children had increased hopes and confidence in the future.