Ponomarev started his football career in the Chirchik children and youth's sport school.
He has played football for several clubs in the Uzbek League, including Navbahor Namangan from 1996 to 1998, Dustlik from 1998 to 2000, Pakhtakor in 2001, Metallurg Bekabad in 2002, Qizilqum Zarafshon in 2003, Pakhtakor again in 2004–2007, Kuruvchi from 2007 to 2008.
Ponomarev has made one appearance for the Uzbekistan national football team in a friendly match against Mongolia on 29 February 2000.
[1] He was recalled for national team in 2010, but did not appear in a qualifying match for the 2010 FIFA World Cup against Lebanon.
This biographical article related to Uzbekistani association football is a stub.