Kazakh PM Meets National Team Ahead of XVII Summer Paralympic Games 2024 in Paris

Astana, The Gulf Observer: Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with members of Kazakhstan’s national team ahead of the XVII Summer Paralympic Games 2024, scheduled to take place in Paris from August 28 to September 8. The meeting, held at the Paralympic Training Center, was highlighted by the ceremonial handover of the national flag to the athletes.

During the event, Prime Minister Bektenov expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to honorably represent Kazakhstan at the Games and contribute to the nation’s medal tally. He emphasized the government’s commitment to developing Paralympic sports, noting that significant infrastructure has been established to support athletes with disabilities. This includes the opening of a specialized sports training center, 15 sports clubs, three schools, and a sports development directorate.

The Prime Minister also recognized the achievements of prominent athletes Berik Izmaganbetov, a ten-time national champion and Asian Paralympic Games winner in men’s sitting volleyball, and Sevda Aliyeva, a national champion in shooting para sport. Both athletes have been selected to bear the national flag during the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Kazakhstan’s national team, consisting of 44 athletes, will compete in nine sports: para swimming, para powerlifting, para athletics, para canoeing, para taekwondo, men’s sitting volleyball, shooting para sport, para table tennis, and para judo. The team has secured 33 quota spots for the Games.

Since their debut in 1996, Kazakh Paralympians have won seven medals, including two gold, four silver, and one bronze. The nation eagerly anticipates further success at this year’s Summer Paralympic Games.