Interview with Mahbuba Halilova, a student of the Faculty of Philology of Samarkand State University, two-time world chess champion, winner of the State Prize named after Zulfia

    - Why did you choose checkers?

    - The main reason I chose checkers is the family atmosphere. My father and uncles played checkers. Under their influence, my interest in this sport increased. I used to go to checkers clubs in elementary school. My coach is Amirullo Abdullayev, chairman of the Samarkand region chess federation, grandmaster of the international chess category.

    - What is your most memorable victory?

    - I participated only in republican championships until I was 17 years old. At the age of 18, I went to the Asian Championship and became the Asian champion. This victory became an unforgettable event in my life. I won one gold and one silver medal in the under-23 world championship held in Bulgaria in 2021. After that, I won a silver medal at the World Championship in Kyrgyzstan. To this day, I have managed to become a three-time champion of Uzbekistan, a one-time Asian champion and a two-time world champion. This year, she was awarded the state award named after Zulfiya in the field of sports.

    - Can you tell us about the process of receiving this award, which is the dream of many girls?

    - Since I was 14 years old, I have dreamed of becoming a laureate of this award. As long as my intention was fair, I succeeded. I would tell my sisters and peers who are working for the Zulfiya Award that they should never stop working. Among the candidates, there are those who have worked for nine to ten years. The most important thing is to turn the dream into a goal and continue the previous aspiration. Hard work will pay off one day.

    - Why did you choose Samarkand State University?

    - After winning the Zulfiya award, I had the opportunity to study at the university of my choice on a preferential basis. I chose Samarkand State University to study. Because the ever-increasing prestige of SamSU, the opportunities given to students aroused my envy. I have always been interested in the field of philology. Although my main achievements are in sports, I consider checkers a hobby. Reading works of art, writing essays is my passion. I want my future work to be related to science and I am working for it.

    - What can sport give to a girl?

    - As for me, what I have achieved so far, I have achieved all the goals I have achieved thanks to sports. Because checkers is a mental sport, it is equally useful for everyone, regardless of gender.

    - To what extent do you think checkers are developing in Uzbekistan today?

    - Currently, checkers are developing well. But not like chess. I think that it is necessary to increase attention to this sport at the international level. Many world chess olympiads and championships are held. It would be even better if such championships were expanded in checkers.

    - Your future dreams?

    - To be an international sports master. Earn the title of World Grandmaster.

Samarkand State University

Information service officer

Iroda Bekmurodova spoke.

Photos taken by Shavkat Akramov.