Traditional sports will be included in school curriculum in Kazakhstan. First, Togyzkumalak and Assyk Atu games will be introduced. The Senate of the Kazakh Parliament adopted legislative amendments on physical education and sports, which contain the corresponding norms, at the end of last year. Spokesperson of Kazakhstan Ethnosport Association Rakhat Zhaksybai shared more information.
“At the beginning, the school curriculum will necessarily include the easiest types of games that don’t require a large material and technical base. These are Togyzkumalak and Assyk Atu. Middle-level games, which require logistics and equipment, such as archery, will be introduced in the second phase. Games that are associated with horses, such as Kokpar, Audaryspak, Tenge Ilu and Zhamby Atu, will be introduced into the school curriculum in the third phase”, said Executive Director of Kazakhstan Ethnosport Association Rakhat Zhaksybai.
Development of regulations governing the implementation of the law and strengthening of the material and technical base of educational institutions is also planned. Experts say that the main goal is not just to teach school students to stay in the saddle and play Kokpar, but to develop their interest in traditional sports.
“To date, the Association and the Ministry of Culture and Sports have held several training seminars for coaches. These trainers will teach sport skills. I think that we have a teaching methodology, but we are now working to deepen it, to make it more accessible to children. Since I believe that horse riding skills begin in educational schools. We will start from it. This will contribute to the development of mass equestrian sports”, said Amanzhol Khassenov, Director of Traditional and Equestrian Sports Center.
