TASHKENT, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan has officially recognized esports as a separate sport discipline and will take steps to develop and popularize the sport in the populous Central Asian country, a presidential decree said Wednesday.
The document, signed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, envisages introduction of a system for the training of professional esports athletes and coaches, qualified judges and commentators, as well as other specialists in the sport.
The country, with a population of more than 35 million, 60 percent of which are under the age of 30, will also hold domestic and international esports championships and tournaments, the document said. ■
