Islamabad, July 20,2026: Pakistan and Kazakhstan have strengthened their sports cooperation with the launch of the International Qazaq Kuresi Coaching and Athlete Development Programme at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.
The seven-day programme, organised by the Pakistan Qazaq Kuresi Federation (PQKF) in collaboration with the Qazaq Kuresi Association of Kazakhstan, was inaugurated by Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin.
The opening ceremony was attended by Colonel Nabeel Ahmed Rana, Deputy Director of the Army Fitness and Sports Directorate, Major Naveed Afzal, Secretary General of the Pakistan Qazaq Kuresi Federation, Kazakh coaches Damir Budanbekov and Nurzhan Kondybayev, as well as athletes, coaches and sports officials.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Kistafin said Kazakhstan was committed to expanding sports cooperation with Pakistan. He noted that the establishment of the Dostyk Sports Centre reflected the shared resolve of both countries to strengthen bilateral ties through sports diplomacy. He also expressed confidence that Pakistani athletes would qualify for future Olympic Games and achieve success on the international stage.
Speaking on the occasion, Major Naveed Afzal said the initiative highlighted the growing friendship and sporting partnership between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. He reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to promoting Qazaq Kuresi across Pakistan by providing quality training, modern facilities and greater international exposure for athletes, coaches and officials.
He said collaboration with Kazakhstan would help raise technical standards, nurture local talent and create new opportunities for Pakistani athletes to compete internationally. He added that the partnership would further deepen bilateral sports relations and lay the foundation for long-term cooperation in athlete and coach development.
