The Kazakhstan national team, which will take part in the XIX Asian Games, met with Minister of Tourism and Sports Ermek Marzhikpayev on the territory of the Republican Olympic Training Base in the Almaty region. The main competition on the Asian continent will be held from September 23 to October 8 in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, Turanews.kz reports.
In the competitions, held every 4 years, Kazakhstan will be represented by 524 athletes. They will compete for 305 medals in 30 sports. It should be noted that the Kazakhstan national team has been participating in the Asian Games since 1994 and for the eighth time.
Marzhikpayev talked with the athletes and coaches and wished them good luck. He emphasized that successful performance at the Asian Games is very important, because along with championship titles at the continental championship, tickets to the Paris Olympics in 8 sports will also be contested.
“We have all been going to this point for a very long time. The preparations were very active. A comprehensive plan was developed, more than 400 training camps were held, various tournaments were organized, thanks to which our athletes received many opportunities to show themselves at a high international level. Very soon you will compete with equally talented and skilled athletes from other countries. It will not be easy, but it is at such tournaments that character is strengthened and valuable experience is gained. I wish you all good luck, concentration and fortitude. Not only medals, rating points and licenses for the Olympics are at stake, but also the honor of the country, the status of all Kazakhstani sports. Our ministry always actively supports domestic athletes, coaches and other specialists in this field. Together we not only force the world to talk about our country, but also set an example for the younger generation, awaken their interest in sports and healthy lifestyle. I congratulate you all on the start of a grandiose sports festival and wish you to conquer the highest peaks at the upcoming Asian Games!” Marzhikpayev said.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced the amount of monetary incentives for athletes and their coaches who won medals at the Asian Games. In particular, the athlete who becomes the champion of the Asian Games will receive a cash reward of $10,000. And the coach who prepared the gold medal winner for the competition – $5,000. The silver medalist of the continental championship will receive a bonus of $5,000, and his coach will receive $3,000. There is also a cash incentive of $3,000 for the team athlete who wins the bronze medal and a $2,000 bonus for his coach.
The opening ceremony of the Asian Games will take place on September 23 at the Olympic Sports Center stadium. More than 15 thousand athletes from 45 countries of the continent will take part in the competition. They will compete for 481 sets of medals in 40 sports.
We wish the Kazakhstan national team the best of luck at the Asian Games!
