The Kapchagay Reservoir in Qonaev, Almaty region, may be added to the calendar of the UIM F1H2O World Championship — the prestigious powerboat racing series. The relevant agreement was signed by the Almaty region’s governor’s office, F1H2O organization representatives, iHolding company and an official Saudi Arabian delegation.
If the project is implemented, Kazakhstan will host a stage of the World Championship for the first time, while Qonaev could become a permanent venue for the competition within the next five years.
Billions of spectators and thousands of tourists
Organizers expect the stage will attract at least 5,000 foreign tourists. Along with local spectators, the event audience will be significantly bigger, while the television broadcast is expected to be watched by about a billion people around the world.
Marat Sultangaziyev, governor of the Almaty region, believes the competitions will provide a new impetus for the region’s development.
“Saudi Arabia has successfully implemented large-scale world-class sports projects, paying particular attention to the development of international competitions and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. The Almaty region is also actively developing this area. Every year, the area around the Kapchagay Reservoir hosts the Tengri Ultra ultramarathon, while the reservoir itself is the venue for the Oceanman international open-water swimming competition. Hosting such international competitions promotes tourism and creates new opportunities for the region’s social and economic development. That is why we are ready to jointly implement this project,” he said.
More than just races
The organizers plan to set up VIP areas, a race control center, team paddocks and a modern media center. Visitors will also be able to enjoy family recreation areas, food stalls serving traditional cuisine and souvenir vendors. The event will conclude with a gala concert featuring international stars.
Yasser Alyami, chairman of the board of KSA ProMediaPortal and an F1H2O representative, said the organizers highly value the region’s potential.
Alyami said that Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan have established strong cooperation. He added that the organizers had reviewed the Almaty region’s development indicators and were convinced of its strong potential. He also expressed confidence that the region would become an international business hub in the future.
F1H2O is the world championship for powerboat racing and is widely regarded as the waterborne equivalent of Formula 1. The series features boats capable of speeds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour, with races held in countries around the world.
