Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with members of the Kazakhstan national team ahead of the upcoming XVII Paralympic Summer Games 2024. 

In the building of the Paralympic Training Center, the Head of Government presented the national Paralympic team of the country with the state flag of Kazakhstan, which the athletes will solemnly carry during the opening ceremony of the Games. The competitions will be held from August 28 to September 8 in Paris. 
Olzhas Bektenov wished success to the national Paralympic team. 

"The Paralympic Games are not just sports, they are a confirmation of the limitless abilities of a person. Your willpower and courage are worthy of admiration. Millions of people are inspired by your dedication and unwavering spirit, learning to overcome life's obstacles. Our flag, which you are receiving today, is a symbol of unity and victory. The head of state noted that defending the honor of the country at the main world sports competitions is an honorable task, a great honor and responsibility. We are confident that you will worthily represent Kazakhstan in the international arena and bring home new medals,” Olzhas Bektenov noted. 

In Kazakhstan, the necessary infrastructure is being created for the development of Paralympic sports, new equipped sports complexes have been opened. There is a specialized Sports Training Center, 15 sports clubs, 3 schools and a sports development directorate. Support programs have been introduced, and a coaching corps has been prepared.The Prime Minister presented the national flag to two flag bearers of the national Paralympic team – the winner of the Asian Paralympic Games, ten-time winner of the Kazakhstan Championship Berik Izmaganbetov (sitting volleyball) and the winner of the Kazakhstan Championship Sevda Aliyeva (para shooting), who also made a response speech. 

"Today is a very important day for me. Raising the flag of our country at a competition of this level is a huge responsibility. Every athlete dreams of participating in the Paralympic Games. We will make every effort to worthily defend the honor of Kazakhstan. In our hearts there is love for the Motherland and a great desire to win," said Berik Izmaganbetov. 

"Each of us has come a long way, overcome many trials to be here. But we know that we have a whole country behind us that believes in us and supports us at every step. We are ready to fight to the end. We promise to do everything so that the anthem of Kazakhstan sounds proudly at the Paralympic Games,” added Sevda Aliyeva.

Reference: 44 Kazakhstani athletes will take part in the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games. The Kazakhstan national team received 33 licenses in 9 sports, including swimming, powerlifting, track and field, canoeing, taekwondo, sitting volleyball, shooting, table tennis and judo. In total, from 1996 to the present, Kazakhstanis have won 7 medals at the Summer Paralympics.

primeminister.kz

translated by Qazalem