The Path to International Fame: Auyl Sport Finalists Head to Serbia
From April 4 to 14, the annual ISF U15 2025 sports festival for schoolchildren is taking place in the picturesque Zlatibor region of western Serbia. This year, the event brings together over 2,500 young athletes from 55 countries. Representing Kazakhstan are 22 schoolchildren—12 of whom are winners of the Auyl Sport project, a national initiative supported by the Halyk Charitable Fund, founded by philanthropist Timur Kulibayev.
Auyl Sport – a large-scale initiative for rural athletes
Launched in 2024, Auyl Sport has become one of Kazakhstan’s largest sports initiatives for children from rural areas. In its first year, over 12,000 young athletes from 200 settlements participated in regional tournaments, with 1,300 advancing to the national finals.
The project’s mission goes beyond promoting sports—it aims to create equal opportunities for children, regardless of where they live. The participation of rural athletes in the Gymnasiade is a powerful testament to this goal. For many, it marks their first step onto the international stage, where they proudly represent not only their villages but all of Kazakhstan.
The main goal of the Auyl Sport project is not only to promote sports, but also to create equal opportunities for children—regardless of where they live. The participation of rural athletes in the Gymnasiade in Serbia is a vivid confirmation of this. For many of them, it’s their first step onto the international stage, where they will compete with the strongest young athletes in the world, representing not only their region but all of Kazakhstan. It’s a powerful and inspiring start for the Auyl Sport project. We wish our participants the best of luck!”
— Galymbek Zhaksylykov, Executive Director of the Halyk Charitable Fund
The project currently includes competitions in boxing, wrestling, karate, basketball, volleyball, and chess. Table tennis was added to the program in 2025.
Stories of the winners
“Auyl Sport is not just a competition—it’s a path to a new life. Winning the national tournament gave me the chance to compete internationally. I’ll do my best to make my family and village proud,” said Aibek Sadyk, one of the project’s champions.
‘I’m incredibly proud of my child. Thanks to Auyl Sport and the Halyk Fund, he’s now on the international stage—something we never imagined. This project gives every child a chance to pursue their dreams,” shared a parent of one of the finalists.
Halyk Charitable Fund: A Reliable Partner for Rural Sports
The Halyk Charitable Fund, under the leadership of Timur Kulibayev, continues to implement impactful social initiatives focused on supporting low-income communities and regional development. To date, the Fund has allocated approximately 500 million tenge toward the development of rural sports.
ISF U15 2025 marks an important milestone in the athletic careers of Kazakhstan’s youth. Let’s wish them success and new victories on the international stage!
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