The Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon accompanied by Dushanbe Chairman, President of Tajikistan Football Federation Rustami Emomali met with Tajikistan national football team - participants of the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship, who has returned to its homeland with silver medals.

The ceremony of handing cash reward to 33 athletes and coaches of the Tajikistan national football team at the AFC U-16 Championship was held at the Palace of the Nation.

During the conversation with the football players, the Head of State, Emomali Rahmon, congratulated Tajikistan national football team and athletes for its performance at the AFC U-16 Championship.

The President of our country stressed that this is a great achievement in the history of Tajik football. This is undoubtedly the result of efforts and measures taken by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, Tajikistan Football Federation and the dedicated work of football players who returned home from a high-level sporting event with considerable success.

The head of state said that winning second place among 45 teams of the world and raising the national flag of sovereign Tajikistan is a great honor, as well as another big step towards representing the Tajik state and nation and strengthening our country's image in the international arena.

It should be noted that of the 47 AFC member associations, a total of 45 teams entered the competition.

The draw of the final tournament of the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship was held in Malaysia. A total of 16 teams played in the final tournament, including Tajikistan team showed high professional skills. Tajik footballers won second place and received a ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be held in 2019 in Peru.

Indeed, the achievement of young football players has brought great joyful enthusiasm among the inhabitants of the country and inspired optimism, faith and hope in the hearts of young people and teenagers. Most of the inhabitants of the country watched the final games and were heartily rooting for their favorite team.

At the end of the conversation, the Leader of the Nation, Emomali Rahmon, once again congratulated the athletes on their successful performance and expressed hope that the Tajik youth with a high sense of patriotism and great responsibility will take part in the World Cup in Peru, and return to their homeland with a victory and once again adequately protect the country's honor on the world stage.