ASTANA – Nearly 3,000 capital residents participated in about 20 different sports competitions Aug. 12-21 to mark Sports Day, reported the akimat (city administration) press service. The corporate competition Crossfit Astana Bolashak Cup 2016 was held Aug. 20 at Kazhymukan Munaitpassov Stadium.
Photo presented by the akimat (city administration)
“Raising a strong and healthy young generation is one of the basic tasks of Astana’s social policy. That is why all conditions are being created in the capital to develop mass sports. New sports facilities and complexes that meet modern demands are being built and competitions are being held. Happy holiday to you! I wish you health and prosperity! Let the accomplishments and victories of Kazakhstan athletes multiply!” said Akim (Mayor) Asset Issekeshev in congratulating the athletes and coaches on the holiday.
Sports Day is held the third Sunday of August by a Nov. 15, 2003 decree from President Nursultan Nazarbayev. This year participants were involved in rope pulling, arm wrestling, kettle-bell lifting, road bicycle racing, futsal, beach volleyball and water polo, reported Tengrinews.kz.
Traditional games popular in Central Asia included kazaksha kures (Kazakh wrestling), asyk atu and togyz kumalak (a two-person game). Darts, chess, draughts, tennis and ping-pong were among the other competitions.
Teams from the Bolashak Association, CVL, Damu Fund, Nazarbayev University alumni association, Reebok and Samruk Energy participated in the Crossfit Astana Bolashak Cup. The squads competed in rowing, shifting bags of sand on a trolley and a relay race, reported Kazinform.
The Bolashak Association fielded the best team. Employees of Samruk Energy and the NU alumni team ranked second and third, respectively.
“The CrossFit competition was held in Almaty’s Medeo last year. We decided to conduct it here in Astana starting this year. First and foremost, these competitions aim to promote a healthy lifestyle. They also help to form a healthy and sports-oriented staff at companies,” said CrossFit Astana head Erik Karabayev, according to Tengrinews.kz.
A number of entertaining performances and contests were organised for viewers and fans. Contest winners received prizes and commemorative gifts.
