IOM organized inter-university sports competitions on 28 and 29 April in the two largest cities of the country.

In Bishkek, the event brought together students from the Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy and Ala-Too International University. In Osh, students from Osh State University and Sydykov Kyrgyz-Uzbek International University took part in the competition.

Teams from different countries played in sports like football, volleyball, basketball, and tug-of-war – where they showed the true spirit of teamwork. Sports fans and participants enjoyed excitement, victories, and friendship. Friendship Cups were awarded to the victorious teams in each discipline, and the university participants and leaders received medals.

The Friendship Cup encouraged both physical activity and cross-cultural exchange among students from different universities and countries. It also gave young people a chance to participate in sports, cheer for their teams and get motivated by healthy competition.

 “This Cup is an opportunity for all the teams involved to display their teamwork and unity, and the festive environment enables them to make friends.” – the coach of the football team said.

The sports competitions are part of the IOM’s social mixing programme, implemented by the Association for Health Promotion and the Republican Centre for Health Promotion and Mass Communications of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic with the financial support of the IOM Development Fund.