The development of mass sports has become a key priority in Kazakhstan's state policy. Expanding sports infrastructure, free children's sections, training new specialists, and supporting young talents are building a solid foundation for major victories at international competitions. Already, the country is showing impressive results both in terms of public participation in sports and the number of medals won on the global stage, reports infohub.kz.
“Today, 44.5% of Kazakhstan's population is involved in physical culture. Regular sports activities cover 34.6% of children and adolescents, indicating a steady growth in interest in a healthy lifestyle and the development of mass sports,” the Kazakh government said.
A key tool for supporting young athletes is the per-capita funding mechanism, with 50 billion tenge allocated. “Thanks to this program, more than 228,000 children aged 4 to 17 attend over 7,000 sports sections across the country for free. About 400,000 more young athletes receive additional training at 526 youth sports schools,” the Cabinet noted.
To train professional personnel, the Kazakh National University of Sports began operations on the president's instruction. The new institution trains specialists in coaching, sports medicine, sports analytics, and management.
The country has 26,500 sports facilities. “Just this year, 34 new sports facilities were commissioned, of which 21 are in rural areas,” the prime minister's press service said. Another 87 sports facilities are planned to be completed by year-end.
At the 25th Winter Olympic Games, Kazakhstan won its first-ever gold medal in figure skating and placed 19th in the overall standings. At the 14th Winter Paralympic Games, a Kazakh athlete won gold and bronze medals in biathlon and cross-country skiing. A Kazakh tennis player won the Australian Open women's singles title. A world record was also matched at a ISSF World Cup stage, and a Kazakh chess player won the prestigious Norway Chess Woman 2026 tournament.
“Since the beginning of the year, Kazakh athletes have won 152 medals at 11 World Championships and 26 Asian Championships. In total, the national team’s medal tally stands at 99 gold, 33 silver, and 20 bronze,” the Cabinet summarized.
Kazakhstan continues to strengthen its position as a host of major international events, successfully staging World Cup stages in fencing, shooting, and boccia, the IBSA Judo Grand Prix Astana, and Grand Slam judo series events.
The consistent development of sports infrastructure, expanding access to physical activity, training qualified specialists, and supporting talented athletes are laying a strong foundation for future success. Mass sports are becoming the bedrock of new achievements, allowing Kazakhstan to solidify its place among leading sports nations.