In a thrilling display of youthful talent and competitive spirit, Kyrgyzstan’s Under-16 volleyball team secured a hard-fought victory over Tajikistan at a regional youth volleyball tournament held in Dushanbe. The match, which drew a sizeable crowd and captured the attention of local sports enthusiasts, showcased the rising promise of Central Asian volleyball and the determination of young athletes eager to make their mark on the international stage.
The encounter between Kyrgyzstan and host nation Tajikistan was one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament. Both countries have been investing steadily in youth sports programs in recent years, aiming to develop grassroots volleyball as part of wider efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and national pride. For the young Kyrgyz players, the win was not just a sporting triumph but also a testament to their rigorous preparation and teamwork.
From the first whistle, the atmosphere inside the sports complex in Dushanbe was electric. Parents, coaches, and fans cheered passionately for their teams, waving flags and chanting slogans. Tajikistan, playing in front of their home crowd, were eager to assert dominance early on. The first set saw the Tajik team take an early lead with strong serves and coordinated blocks that put the visitors under pressure. However, the Kyrgyz team, under the guidance of coach Askarbek Ermatov, remained composed and stuck to their game plan.
After losing the opening set narrowly 23-25, Kyrgyzstan regrouped and came back stronger in the second set. Their captain, 15-year-old setter Nuraiym Toktosunova, orchestrated play brilliantly, distributing the ball with precision and keeping the Tajik blockers guessing. Her quick sets to outside hitter Adilet Bekbolotov turned the momentum in Kyrgyzstan’s favor. Bekbolotov’s powerful spikes and consistent serves forced errors from the Tajik defense, allowing Kyrgyzstan to level the match by taking the second set 25-19.
The third set was fiercely contested, with long rallies that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. Both teams showed commendable defensive grit, diving for impossible digs and pulling off impressive saves. The turning point came when Kyrgyzstan’s middle blocker, Altynai Abdrakhmanova, delivered a series of decisive blocks that halted Tajikistan’s top scorer, Jamshid Rahmonov. Her presence at the net frustrated the home side and shifted the psychological advantage to the visitors.
Winning the third set 26-24, Kyrgyzstan now had the upper hand, but Tajikistan refused to back down. Spurred on by the chants of local fans, the home team rallied to take the fourth set 25-22, pushing the match into a deciding fifth set — a scenario that perfectly encapsulated the evenly matched nature of the contest.
In the final set, it was clear that fitness, focus, and mental strength would determine the outcome. Kyrgyzstan’s young players dug deep, showing remarkable composure under pressure for their age group. The decisive moment came when Kyrgyzstan’s libero, 14-year-old Azamat Saparov, pulled off an incredible one-handed save that kept a crucial rally alive. That point ended with a thundering spike by Bekbolotov, giving Kyrgyzstan the edge they needed.
With a 15-12 scoreline in the final set, Kyrgyzstan sealed a memorable 3-2 victory. The players erupted in celebration, hugging each other and thanking their supporters who had traveled to Dushanbe to cheer them on. For coach Ermatov, the victory was the culmination of months of intense training camps, practice matches, and sacrifices by both players and their families.
Speaking to local reporters after the game, Ermatov praised his squad’s resilience and sportsmanship. “This was not an easy match — Tajikistan played brilliantly, and we have great respect for them,” he said. “But our players showed discipline and heart. This win means a lot for volleyball in Kyrgyzstan. It proves that with hard work and belief, our youth can compete with the best in the region.”
The tournament in Dushanbe is part of a wider Central Asian initiative to strengthen youth sports ties among neighboring countries. Beyond the competition, the event aims to build camaraderie and cultural exchange through sports. Many players from both teams could be seen mingling after the match, exchanging handshakes, and taking photos together — a heartening sight that highlighted the spirit of friendship and fair play that sport can inspire.
For Kyrgyzstan’s U-16 volleyball team, the victory is expected to boost the sport’s popularity back home and inspire even younger players to take up the game. Local volleyball clubs in Bishkek and other cities have already reported a rise in youth enrollment, with parents increasingly recognizing the benefits of organized sports for developing life skills and fostering community pride.
As the young athletes return home, they do so with their heads held high — not just as victors of a match, but as ambassadors of a new generation of Kyrgyz sports talent ready to shin
e beyond their borders.
