DUSHANBE, November 5, 2010, Asia-Plus – President Emomali Rahmon''s eldest son, Rustam Emomali, has been appointed a deputy head of Tajikistan''s soccer federation, RFE/RL''s Tajik Service reports.

Soccer federation Secretary-General Sherali Davlatov told RFE/RL on November 3 that in a short period of time, Rustam Emomali had organized the soccer club Istiqlol, which is one of the best in Tajikistan''s top league.

Rustam, a leading player on the Istiqlol team, is also the owner of the club.  He will turn 23 on December 19.

Rustam graduated from Tajikistan''s National University and is also a deputy chairman of Tajikistan''s Youth Union, the successor to the communist-era Komsomol organization.  In February he was elected a member of the Dushanbe city council.

Rustam has often joined his father during meetings with foreign government officials in Dushanbe.

Rahmon has seven daughters and two sons.  Rustam Emomali''s older sister, Ozoda Rahmonova, is a deputy foreign minister.