DUSHANBE, October 19, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon has become a sponsor of Tajikistan’s national youth soccer team.

According to the Committee for Youth, Sports and Tourism Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan, 125,520 somoni (equivalent to more than 28,000 U.S. dollars) will be allocated from president’s reserve fund to encourage development of youth soccer players and foster enjoyment of the sport.

These funds will go to financing purchase of sports uniforms for Tajikistan’s national youth soccer team and its participation in the Asian youth soccer tournament that will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from October 24 to November 7, the source said.

It is not the first support of the president for the country’s national youth soccer team.  Rahmon has previously allocated 394,000 somoni from president’s reserve fund for the team, the source added.