New York City, 10 August 2026 — A meeting was held at the World Trade Center complex in Manhattan, New York City, between Mr. Ziyoviddin Khodjiniyazov, Acting President of the International Kurash Association (IKA), accompanied by Mr. Daniel Abayev, Member of the IKA Sports Committee, and Mr. Farrukh Niyazimbetov, President of the International Turon Federation (ITF) accompanied by Turon executive board members, lawyers and International partners of ITF.
The meeting focused on the international development and promotion of Kurash and Turon, with particular emphasis on strengthening cooperation between the two organisations, sharing knowledge and expertise, and exploring opportunities for the inclusion of both sports in the programmes of prestigious international competitions.
Representatives of the International Turon Federation expressed their interest in benefiting from the International Kurash Association’s extensive experience and longstanding efforts in developing and promoting Kurash as an international sport, including its transformation from a traditional sport into a modern, internationally recognised discipline.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of the New Uzbekistan Strategy and the relevant initiatives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aimed at further developing Kurash and strengthening its position and recognition on the global sporting stage.
The participants also discussed the positive agreements reached regarding the inclusion of Kurash in the programme of the Central American and Caribbean Games, describing this development as an important milestone and a significant achievement for the sport. It was emphasised that this progress provides further tangible evidence of Kurash’s steadily strengthening position within the international sports movement.
The two sides further discussed plans to organise the first joint international activities featuring both Kurash and Turon in Manhattan, New York, in October 2026. These activities are expected to serve as an important first step towards further cooperation and the joint promotion of the two sports internationally in particular with in the USA.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the International Kurash Association and the International Turon Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU establishes an important foundation for elevating cooperation between the two organisations to a new level, particularly in promoting and developing Kurash and Turon, both of which have their historical origins in Uzbekistan. The agreement will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience, encourage joint initiatives, and support the implementation of collaborative projects at the international level.
The signing of the Memorandum marks a significant step towards closer cooperation between the two organisations and reflects their shared commitment to the continued international development, promotion and recognition of these traditional sports. Its noteworthy to say that Turon is a national sport of Uzbekistan, based on the ancient martial art of Turkic peoples. This sport was formed with rules in 1991 and was included in the official list of Uzbekistan sports in 1992. International Turon Federation (ITF) is registered in the USA and the H.Q is in New York.
