Uzbekistan Launches Fund to Support Sports Initiatives

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree “On measures to improve mechanisms for financing the sports sector and expanding private sector participation”.

The document aims to introduce modern financing mechanisms for sports, increase the volume of budget allocations, and enhance efficiency through centralized management of resources.

Under the decree, a Sports Initiatives Support Fund will be established under the Ministry of Sports.

Starting from 1 April 2026, executives of sports federations and associations will include entrepreneurs who have contributed sponsorship funds of at least 20 percent of the organizations’ total annual expenses.

Additionally, a practice will be introduced allowing professional football clubs to be placed under trust management by entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial groups that provide at least 20 percent of club funding.

From 1 April 2026, to 1 April 2029, players of clubs participating in the Super League and Pro League will be exempt from personal income tax, and the social tax rate for them will be set at 1 percent.

These measures are designed to stimulate private investment in sports, improve the management of federations and clubs, and support professional athletes.