Kazakhstan bans state support for foreign athletes

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a law aimed at improving state policy in the field of physical culture and sports. From now on, the use of public funds or money from quasi-public sector entities to fund foreign athletes is prohibited by law, the president’s official residence — the Akorda — said in a statement.

Under the new rules, state budget money will be used strictly in four areas: high-performance sports, state-owned sports organizations, sports for all and the development of sports infrastructure.

Moreover, a public agency authorized to supervise sports will receive the right to form national and regional lists of priority sports. These will be determined based on the achievements of Kazakhstani athletes in the international arena. They will include sports from the Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic, Asian and Para-Asian Games programs, as well as national sports.

In addition, the government is expected to specify high-performance sports and establish the procedure for their financing from the budget.

The law also improves the process of accrediting sports federations; they will be divided into national and local organizations.

Furthermore, Kazakh authorities plan to introduce unified national standards for sports training, with a special focus on traditional values and patriotic education.

The authorized agency will also be responsible for taking measures in case of anti-doping rule violations, as the new law grants it such authority.

According to the Akorda, all measures undertaken are aimed at raising the efficiency of budget spending and promoting the development of sports using internal resources only. Against the backdrop of criticism from the Anti-Corruption Agency and the proposal by President Tokayev to stop recruiting foreign athletes, the Barys hockey club in Astana has already terminated contracts with all legionnaires. FC Shakhter Karagandy is weighing following suit.