Uzbekistan's hockey community has once again appealed to the authorities due to the lack of ice for training

Uzbekistan's Hockey Community Appeals to Authorities Again Over Lack of Ice for Training

Parents of young hockey players, athletes, and coaches have once again called on the authorities to intervene in the situation regarding hockey infrastructure in Uzbekistan. According to them, the Humo Arena has not been functioning for six months, the hockey academy is closed, and the Tashkent Select club has been liquidated. As a result, more than 300 children have lost the opportunity to regularly play hockey.

A copy of the appeal was provided to the Podrobno.uz editorial office by parents of young hockey players, athletes, coaches, and children. The document is dated October 31 and was sent to the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee, the Presidential Administration, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), and the Prosecutor's Office.

The authors of the appeal claim that today only one ice rink remains in Tashkent — the rink at the NEXT shopping and entertainment center. However, due to public skating, there is almost no free time left for proper training. In addition, they describe the condition of the ice as unsatisfactory.

According to the authors, not only children's sections but also professional athletes have been left without an ice facility. The appeal states that the national team of Uzbekistan became the winner of the 2026 World Championship, and the Humo hockey club won the country's domestic championship. At the same time, the signatories claim that the reigning champions lack the conditions for full-fledged preparation.

The authors paid special attention to the situation of young athletes. According to them, more than 300 children who have played hockey for years are now deprived of the opportunity to regularly get on the ice. Parents emphasize that families invested money in classes and equipment, counting on their children's further development in the sport.

The signatories to the appeal also state that for six months they have been trying to get a reaction from the responsible agencies: sending letters, signing up for appointments, and asking to be provided with ice for training. However, according to their assertion, there are still no concrete decisions.

The authors warn that the Uzbekistan Championship for the 2026/2027 season may not take place due to the lack of conditions for holding it. They ask to inspect the situation with the hockey infrastructure, provide a legal assessment of the actions of responsible persons, provide athletes with an ice rink, and prevent issues with the country's IIHF membership.

"We beg you: save hockey, return the ice to our children, do not let the dream die, do not allow the suspension of IIHF membership," the appeal reads.

As a reminder, in August 2026, parents of young hockey players, fans, and representatives of the sports community had already appealed to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Saida Mirziyoyeva asking for help for the Humo hockey club and to preserve the opportunity to train on the ice of the Humo Arena.

At that time, it was reported that after the arena ceased operations, children, as well as players of the youth and national teams, were left without their main venue to prepare for competitions. Against the backdrop of the appeal on August 7, a meeting on the development of hockey was held at the National Olympic Committee. It discussed infrastructure development, support for clubs, and the preparation of national teams for international competitions. However, no concrete decisions regarding the resumption of operations at the Humo Arena or the provision of ice for training were announced at that time.

Nearly three months later, representatives of the hockey community have once again stated that the problem remains unresolved.