Kazakhstan to Allocate Six Billion Tenge for National Sports in 2025

In 2025, the government of Kazakhstan will allocate six billion tenge to support and promote national sports, Orda.kz reports.

The announcement was made by Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports Serik Zharasbayev during a session of the Majilis.

National sports are our country's brand. They awaken patriotism, strengthen the health of the people and foster respect for traditions,
 Zharasbayev emphasized.

Currently, 11 national sports are officially recognized in Kazakhstan, including Asyq Atu, Audaryspaq, Jekpe-Jek, Kokpar, Qazaq kuresi, Togyzqumalaq, and falconry. In 2024, Jappai Kokpar was added to the registry. Official rules have been introduced to mitigate risks and ensure player safety.

More than 660,000 people across the country regularly participate in national sports. They are trained by approximately 1,700 coaches, with 1,000 based in rural areas. The infrastructure includes 17 national sports clubs, 15 specialized sports schools, and a national-level directorate.

Yerkebulan Saidullauly Ilyasov became the President of the Association of National Sports. The association includes 10 federations. Work is underway to include new elements in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List,
 the Deputy Minister added.

Zharasbayev also recalled Kazakhstan's hosting of the 5th World Nomad Games in 2024, which welcomed around 3,000 athletes from 89 countries.

Such competitions give a new impetus to ethnosports and the ethnocultural movement,
he noted. 

Traditional events like the Aqbiday Rural Games, the Qazaqstan Barysy Tournament, and the Uly Dala Jorygy marathon continue to be held annually.

National Sports Day is also now part of the Nauryz celebrations.

Funding for national sports has increased steadily:

• 2023: 2.28 billion tenge
• 2024: 4.7 billion tenge
• 2025: 6 billion tenge

We are drafting a bill that will allow national sports to be included in the list of priorities along with Olympic and Paralympic sports. This is high-achievement sports,
 said a representative of the Ministry of Tourism.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov