Supreme Audit Chamber Uncovers Misuse of Sports Funds and Disciplinary Violations

Following an audit by the Supreme Audit Chamber (SAC), dozens of sports officials have been disciplined, Orda.kz reports.

Auditors found widespread misuse of budget funds, improper accounting, and weak internal controls within government organizations. Disciplinary action was taken against representatives of the Committee for Sports and Physical Culture, as well as the heads of several subordinate entities, including:

• State Enterprise “Directorate for Sports Development”
  
• State Enterprise “Republican College of Sports”
  
• RSU “Boarding School-College of Olympic Reserve named after Khadzhimukan Munaitpasov”
  
• State Enterprise “Olympic Training Center ‘Almaty’”
  
• State Enterprise “School of Higher Sports Mastery in Winter Sports ‘Alatau’”

Auditors said the lack of transparency and personal accountability is directly undermining Kazakhstan’s athletic performance and the efficiency of state programs.

But the issues go beyond finances.

While more than 32,000 physical education teachers work in Kazakhstan's schools, their potential is not being used to identify and support talented students. As a result, thousands of promising young athletes are “lost” before reaching professional training programs.

In response, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has ordered the introduction of specialized sports classes for children with exceptional athletic abilities. The selection process will be carried out jointly by physical education teachers and professional coaches to better link the education and sports systems.

Since early November, the Supreme Audit Chamber has inspected several ministries.

Officials from the Ministry of Education, teachers, and rectors of leading universities have also been penalized for shortcomings in teacher training, methodology, and regulation.

The SAC audit further extended to the Ministry of Health, where the head of SK-Pharmacy was dismissed, and to the agricultural sector, where employees in veterinary, phytosanitary, and food safety departments faced disciplinary action.

Original Author: Dinara Bekbolayeva