Courtesy: Caspio Net


Futsal tournament staged in Almaty

As part of the 11th annual European Football week, Almaty has staged a republican tournament in futsal featuring children with mental disabilities. The Special Olympics Kazakhstan public organisation joined the Kazakhstan Football federation in 2010.

This year’s tournament was organised with the support of the Kazakhstan football federation and UEFA. The competition involved around 200 athletes from 9 regions of the country. According to the tournament’s organisers, football is the most popular kind of sport in the world, which gives people with mental disabilities a chance to feel part of the team and society. Children also grow more and more interested in this kind of competition year by year. Moreover, football was also of particular interest for girls which is why the tournament also saw women’s teams.

Abzal Duisenbiyev, Director, Special Olympics of South Kazakhstan Region:
- This tournament is of great significance because these are children with mental disabilities. Prior to the tournament, they held all year round training sessions and the tournament is conducted in April. Such tournaments also help with the formation of personality and increase the self-esteem of the athletes.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com