Children's Paralympic Games 2025 Sports Event
Visualize the vibrant scene as over 450 young para-athletes from all corners of Kazakhstan converge at the stunning "Zhastar" Palace, the venue for the festival's grand opening, as revealed by Vechernyaya Astana.
According to Nurguль Ulzhekova, the Director of the public fund "World of Equal Opportunities," this inclusive sports event forms part of the "Salamatty Bolashaq" project, backed by the "Samruk-Kazyna Trust" Social Projects Development Fund. This project has spurred the establishment of free adaptive sports sections across the nation.
The festival trace its roots to 2018, initially limited to capital athletes. Since 2020, it has expanded nationwide, uniting 20 cities in a shared endeavor to foster inclusivity. These brave competitors, children with disabilities and developmental challenges, tackle 10 sports disciplines, with their healthy peers side by side. There's even a dance team competition, with participants showcasing their talents in age, gender, and ability-specific categories. Witnessing the dance-off, it's clear that the archaic belief that sports and special children don't mix is a fallacy. Sports equip these youngsters with independence, replacing overly protective parents with responsibility and self-reliance, aiding socialization and personal growth, said Nurguł Ulzhekova.
With every participant being a winner and medalist of regional competitions, the tournament program encompasses an inclusive dance competition, adaptive karate, taekwondo, football, CP football, pioneer ball, boccia, tennis, and swimming.
Aseimbek Bekturganova, mother of one of the festival participants, shares her perspective. She is the proud mother of a special 13-year-old daughter, Zhania, who has been dancing with the "Ekerkeler" capital ensemble for 8 years. They participate in all festivals annually. The stage toughens the child, encourages them, and allows them to grow and develop, believes Aseimbek Bekturganova.
In essence, the "Salamatty Bolashaq" project's inclusive sports festival represents a viable pathway for promoting inclusivity, encouraging healthy living, and showcasing the talents of Kazakhstan's para-athletes.
Sports and football are embraced by the participants at the inclusive sports festival, part of the "Salamatty Bolashaq" project. The event, which unites young para-athletes from across Kazakhstan, includes adaptive football among its ten sports disciplines.
