The prestigious international competition, the Astana 2026 World Boccia Cup, is being held in Astana for the first time. Maulen Ashimbayev, President of the Kazakhstan Boccia Federation, attended the tournament's opening ceremony at the Qazaqstan Athletics Sports Complex.
Welcoming the participants, Maulen Ashimbayev emphasized that building an inclusive society is one of the key priorities of Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's policy. Maulen Ashimbayev also emphasized the scale of this international sporting competition, which includes representatives from Canada, China, Great Britain, France, Portugal, South Korea, Brazil, and other countries. Hosting a tournament of this caliber, he said, underscores Kazakhstan's success in developing the Paralympic movement and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone.
"The Astana 2026 World Boccia Cup has become a significant event not only for the Kazakhstan Boccia Federation but also for the entire Paralympic movement in our country. Today, with the support of President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, Kazakhstan is placing significant emphasis on developing para-athletes and creating equal opportunities for all. Conditions are being created for para-athletes to train, compete in international competitions, and realize their potential. This commitment is confirmed by the opening of the first, unique Inclusive Sports Center in Astana, which combines sports, medical, rehabilitation, and educational infrastructure. At the direction of the Head of State, the experience of the capital's center will be expanded to other regions of Kazakhstan," emphasized Maulen Ashimbayev, thanking the International Boccia Federation and its team of supporters for hosting the tournament in Kazakhstan.
Today, boccia in Kazakhstan has become more than just a sport, but a powerful vector of social integration and rehabilitation for thousands of people with disabilities and their families: the Kazakhstan national boccia team includes approximately 50 para-athletes. At the same time, as noted, in recent years, the Kazakhstan Federation, coaches, para-athletes, and their parents, as well as enthusiasts and volunteers, have accomplished a tremendous amount of work in all areas of developing this sport and supporting its supporters.
"Boccia is a unique sport. It demonstrates that strength of spirit, hard work, and determination can overcome any obstacle. Every athlete who steps onto this court today is already an example of courage, resilience, and self-confidence. There is no doubt that hosting the Boccia World Cup in Astana will provide new impetus for the development of this sport in Kazakhstan," noted Maulen Ashimbayev, addressing the participants.
Furthermore, special emphasis was placed on promoting boccia through contemporary art. A striking example of this was the feature film "Erekshe," which resonated deeply with audiences and earned high praise from international colleagues.
The Astana 2026 World Boccia Cup international tournament is being held in the capital of Kazakhstan from June 1 to 9, 2026. This stage of the Boccia World Cup is part of the official ranking competition system and is a key qualifying round for the upcoming Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Ten athletes are representing Kazakhstan at the home stage of the World Cup. Three of them are BC3 athletes, with the most severe motor impairments. They use a special ramp to roll the ball and compete on the court with their assistants. The competition consists of individuals, doubles, and teams. A coach from Portugal, Roberto Mateus, was also invited to train Kazakhstani para-athletes and conduct training camps. He is working with the boccia athletes, focusing on the team's technical and tactical preparation ahead of the upcoming international competition. The tournament is organized with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its partners.
On that day, the Senate Speaker also held a bilateral meeting with John Morgan, President of the International Boccia Sports Federation. The two discussed the current state and development prospects of Paralympic sports, promoting boccia in Kazakhstan, strengthening international cooperation, and supporting athletes and coaches in preparation for major international competitions.
For his part, John Morgan praised Kazakhstan's openness to cooperation and noted the International Federation's readiness to support joint initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion.
(Press department of the Senate, 74-72-27. Photo – A. Bayzhumanov)
