The Humo Arena Sports Complex in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, has been officially opened by the country’s president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The 12,500 capacity Humo Arena includes: a multifunctional ice arena; a training arena with 200 seats; multiple gyms; a sports museum; and many other facilities. One of the largest ice arenas in Central Asia, it is also one of the most technologically advanced, with smart and energy efficient technology used throughout the building.
The arena will operate in three ‘modes’, meaning that a variety of winter sports – hockey, figure skating, short track and curling – can be played, in addition to a range of summer sports – basketball, volleyball, futsal, Kurash, boxing, fencing and Taekwondo.
The opening of the Arena complex reflects the Uzbek government’s hopes that the country will host the Asian Games in 2030. Following the official ceremony, guests were treated to a display of sporting prowess by Uzbek athletes and a game of ice hockey between teams mixing veterans and young players. Well-known members of the Uzbek Paralympian team were also honored.
The launch of the Humo Arena will be followed by the opening of smaller sports centers and arenas across the country.
President Mirziyoyev said, “The launch of this modern ice complex is opening up a new stage in the history of Uzbek sport. I am confident that it will serve for training the highest-class athletes and organizing major international competitions in Uzbekistan, but most importantly for attracting our youth to winter sports.”
