A groundbreaking initiative has been launched in Uzbekistan that uses tennis to bridge the gap between generations and address the growing social problem of loneliness among the elderly.
The Generations United Tennis Series is the first initiative of its kind in the country, aiming to bring young people and senior citizens together several times each year. The inaugural event of the series took place on October 25 at the Matonat Sports Complex in Tashkent. The event included both a round robin tournament for doubles tennis players and masterclasses for players of various levels and ages. Around forty players took part in the inaugural edition.
Public health researchers around the world, including in Uzbekistan, have studied the impact of loneliness among older adults. The proportion of senior citizens living alone in large cities is rising. A recent study by researchers at the Tashkent State Dental Institute found that 45 percent of elderly people surveyed in Tashkent were living alone in apartments with limited opportunities for social contact.
Loneliness is strongly linked to diminished health and well-being, including higher risks of depression and anxiety, and weaker cardiovascular health and immune function. Researchers have consistently shown that reducing loneliness through social and community activities can significantly improve the welfare of the elderly.
Importantly, intergenerational contact with children and young adults has been shown to have unique benefits: it increases older people’s sense of purpose and generativity, diversifies conversation topics, encourages physical activity and digital engagement, and reduces ageist attitudes on both sides. These effects reinforce participation and sustain wellbeing over time. Tennis offers an excellent platform to bring the young and old together.
During the Generations United event, participants had the opportunity to learn from some of Uzbekistan’s former tennis champions, including Samuk Abudov and Yuriy Kolesnichenko. These players shared lessons about perseverance, self-confidence, and self-improvement that they learned during their tennis careers. These lessons represent the wisdom that older generations can impart to youth.
“Today, the courts are filled with a true celebration of sport. Seeing players of different ages together is a reminder of what makes tennis special–it brings people together regardless of age. Alongside the juniors, our tennis veterans are playing today–those who have made a significant contribution to the development of this sport and continue their work to this day. We hope their energy and experience will inspire the young generation of athletes who represent our future,” said Samuk Abidov, Director of the Republican Tennis School of Olympic Reserve.
The series was initiated by ACWA Power, a Saudi Arabian company that is a major investor in Uzbekistan’s renewable energy industry. ACWA Power partnered with the Uzbekistan Tennis Federation to implement the series. A key goal of the initiative is to show that sport is not only a source of entertainment but also a powerful force for social change.
“Tennis is known as a lifelong sport–it keeps people active, connected, and learning at every age. There is a player named Leonid Stanislavskyi in the Guinness Book of World Records who was still playing tennis at 97 years old. At ACWA Power, we believe that human capital is our greatest asset, and our responsibility extends beyond our employees to the wider communities we serve. We care about people–children, adults, and the elderly alike–which is why even our insurance coverage includes not only our team members, but also their parents and children. Supporting initiatives like the Generations United Tennis Series reflects this philosophy. Tennis is also a sport that teaches players important life lessons about discipline and sportsmanship. So, it made perfect sense for us to use tennis to bring generations together in Uzbekistan. It was a joy to see the players of all ages on the courts today, and we are delighted by our cooperation with UTF on this series,” said Jon Zaidi, Country General Manager for ACWA Power in Uzbekistan.
The launch of the “Generations United” festival is part of ACWA Power’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, aimed at developing human capital and strengthening intergenerational connections. The Uzbekistan Tennis Federation is a partner in this strategy. For many years, the federation has been developing national tennis, expanding access to the sport for children and adults, and organizing national and international competitions.
Generations United brought together players from three age groups–youth (13+), adults (25+), and seniors (50+). Participants took to the court not for the sake of competition, but to enjoy communication, shared experience, and the joy of playing tennis.
“Our cooperation with ACWA Power has become a vivid example of how sport can unite different spheres of society. This company is not only a reliable investor that has played one of the key roles in transforming Uzbekistan’s energy sector, but also a socially responsible partner that places special emphasis on socially significant initiatives, including the development of tennis in our country. Thanks to this partnership, we are not only developing tennis as a professional discipline, but also creating a platform for social projects, youth education, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle,” emphasized Aziz Khamidov, Deputy Chairman of the Tennis Federation of Uzbekistan.
Following the success of the inaugural event, ACWA Power and UTF plan to continue the series. The next event is planned for early 2026.
About ACWA Power
ACWA Power (TADAWUL:2082) is a Saudi-listed company and the world's largest private water desalination company and a leader in the global energy transition. Registered and established in 2004 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ACWA Power employs over 4,000 people and is currently present in 15 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. ACWA Power’s portfolio comprises 108 projects in operation, advanced development, or under construction with an investment value of SAR 428 billion (USD 114 billion) and the capacity to generate 94GW of power and manage 9 million m3/day of desalinated water. This energy and water are delivered on a bulk basis to address the needs of state utilities and industries on long-term, off-taker contracts under utility services outsourcing and public-private partnership models. In Uzbekistan, ACWA Power is the largest investor in renewable energy, with a portfolio exceeding USD 15 billion, comprising 15 projects across the country, spanning wind and solar power, energy storage systems, and green hydrogen initiatives.
