On June 9 2015, the National Taekwondo and Kickboxing Federation of Tajikistan (NTKF) welcomed the high delegation headed by Madame Ban Soon-taek, Mrs. Sumangul Tagoizoda, Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan of Tajikistan and other national and international agencies’ representatives, including UNFPA and UNICEF COs and UN Women.
During the official visit the honored guests became acquaint about the joint initiatives of the Federation with UN Country Team (UNCT) within the framework of the UN Secretary General’s Global Campaign “UNiTE to End Violence against Women” and the outputs of the UNOSDP/NTKF Project on girls’ empowerment through sports.
Mrs. Ban Soon-taek’s discussed with Mr. Mirsaid Yakhyaev, the President of the NTKF and the UN SG Goodwill Ambassador the issues of gender-based violence in Tajikistan and ways to address violence against girls and women. Mrs. Ban Soon-taek also met with young athletes and learned about successful experience of involving men and boys into GBV prevention campaigns and empowering girls through participation in sports.
Mrs. Sumangul Tagoizoda mentioned that further to NTKF other sports federations also employ the above mentioned methods to provide girls and women with more opportunities. “These investments have good dividends. The example of Mavzuna Chorieva, a young athlete and Tajikistan Olympic medal winner inspires thousands young girls to chase their dreams” she said.
As it was mentioned, the Federation cooperated with UNCT in Tajikistan and through the partnership acquired a significant experience in promoting gender equality, girls’ rights in sports, conducting awareness raising and educational campaigns on domestic violence prevention, healthy life style, reproductive and sexual health and tolerant behavior.
In conclusion Mrs. Ban Soon-taek emphasized the importance of joint efforts and thanked the NTKF and personally Mr. Mirsaid Yakhyaev for the active work in promoting gender equality through sports and wished continuation of successful cooperation to eliminate gender based violence and promoting the right of every girl and every woman to the life full of equal opportunities.
About Tajikistan Taekwondo and Kickboxing Federation and its President Mr. Mirsaid Yakhyaev
The National Taekwondo Federation of Tajikistan founded in 1992 by Mr. Mirsaid Yakhyaev who still serves as its President. From 1992 to 2000 he was a member of the Executive Council and since 2008 he has been the General Director of the National Olympic Committee of Tajikistan. Mr. Yakhyaev has received numerous awards for promoting a healthy lifestyle, as well as for his high achievements in the international sport arena. The International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) honored him with a “Distinguished Service Medal”. He also received three awards from the Government of Tajikistan, who named him Tajikistan’s best coach of the 20th century.
Tajikistan Taekwondo and Kickboxing Federation is an full and active member of WAKO ASIAN Kickboxing Federation.
In 2009, Mr. Yakhyaev helped Tajikistan’s National Federation of Taekwondo and Kickboxing to launch the UN Secretary-General’s Global Campaign UNiTE to End Violence Against Women in Tajikistan. Since the beginning, this initiative received support UN Women and the Gender Theme Group (GTG).
As head of the National Taekwondo and Kickboxing Federation of Tajikistan, Mr. Yakhyaev promotes the UNiTE Campaign’s objectives and calls on other sports federations to join this campaign.