Today at the Akorda
Presidential Palace, the country’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev extended his
congratulations to Kazakh athletes for their remarkable victories. Among them
are Rizabek Aitmukhan, who became the first Kazakh world champion in freestyle
wrestling, as well as the medalists of the 19th Asian Summer Games. It is worth
reminding that Kazakh athletes showcased exceptional performance in such sports
as shooting, rowing, cycling, and jiu-jitsu. The Head of State took a moment to
specially commend the national karate team, where each of the members earned a
place on the podium, securing the team’s top spot in the overall standings.
Nevertheless, President Tokayev emphasized that the performance of Kazakh
athletes at the international sporting competitions could have been even better, noting that
it’s time to work on the mistakes.
“The government
always pays great attention to the sports industry, allocating significant
funds for its development annually. Nevertheless, performance indicators have
yet to reach their peak. Clearly, our results in professional sports
demonstrate the remarkably low efficiency of the use of state resources. Such a
situation is unacceptable, necessitating substantial reforms within the sector.
The relevant ministry should thoroughly analyze the current state and develop a
new vision for sports development. It is necessary to take concrete measures as
soon as possible,” Tokayev said.
According to the
Head of State, first and foremost, there is a need to substantially increase
the efficiency of allocated funds, as well as focus on specific sports and
enhance the preparedness of national teams by creating modern infrastructure.
President Tokayev noted that the government and local authorities should create
all conditions for the promotion of talented and promising athletes. In
conclusion, he called for thorough preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games
in Paris, underscoring the importance of learning from experiences. The
athletes were also presented with President Tokayev’s commendations.
