OSCE supports sporting events to engage youth and promote community-police co-operation

From April to September 2023, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (the Office) supported the Ministry of Interior Public Councils in conducting a series of sports initiatives, contests, and tournaments. The events took place across 24 districts of the Sughd and Kulob regions of Tajikistan and concluded on 23 September.

More than 800 people attended and participated in the events, including schoolchildren, students, youth, public activists, and territorial police inspectors. Sporting events included football, basketball, and volleyball tournaments. Other initiatives included competitions in chess and checkers, contests for best drawing as well as poetry reading. Members of Public Councils awarded all winners of tournaments and competitions with medals, diplomas, and prizes provided by the Office.

The events were aimed at increasing awareness of the work of Public Councils and enhancing the interaction of communities with police to ensure public order in the corresponding districts of Tajikistan. The OSCE is committed to developing police-public partnerships through trust-building initiatives and dialogue.