From April 4 to 14, the annual ISF U15 2025 Sports Festival for school students will take place in the picturesque Zlatibor region in western Serbia. This year, the event will bring together more than 2,500 young athletes from 55 countries. The Kazakhstan national team will be represented by 22 athletes competing in boxing, freestyle wrestling, chess, and judo. Twelve of them are winners of the Auyl Sport project, which is being implemented with the support of Timur Kulibayev’s Halyk Charity Foundation.
Auyl Sport – A Major Initiative to Develop Rural Sports
Launched in 2024, Auyl Sport is one of the largest nationwide sports projects aimed at children from rural areas. Last year, 12,000 young athletes from 200 localities took part in regional tournaments, and 1,300 top athletes from 17 regions showcased their skills in the final stage.
“The main goal of the Auyl Sport project is not only to promote sports but also to provide equal opportunities for children regardless of where they live. The participation of rural athletes in the Gymnasiade in Serbia is clear evidence that this goal is being achieved. For many of these children, it’s their first step onto the international stage, where they will compete against the world’s best young athletes and represent Kazakhstan. This is an inspiring start and a source of great hope for the Auyl Sport project. We wish all our athletes the best of luck!” said Galymbek Zhaksylykov, Executive Director of the Halyk Foundation.
Currently, within the Auyl Sport project, competitions are held in boxing, wrestling, karate, basketball, volleyball, and chess. Starting from 2025, table tennis will also be added to the program.
Story of a Winner: The Road to a Dream
“Auyl Sport is not just a competition for me — it’s a path to a new life. Winning the national tournament of this project and now heading to the international Gymnasiade in Serbia is a major achievement for me. I will give my all to live up to the hopes of my parents and my home village,” says Aibek Sadyk, a winner of the Auyl Sport project.
“I am proud of my child’s achievements. Thanks to the Auyl Sport project and the support of the Halyk Foundation, he now has a chance to showcase his talent on the international stage. It used to feel like an unreachable dream for us. As a parent, I am deeply grateful. This project gives every child a chance to unlock their potential and get closer to their dreams,” says the parent of one of the project finalists.
Halyk Foundation – A Driving Force Behind Rural Sports
Timur Kulibayev’s Halyk Charity Foundation has been actively implementing a number of social initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of the population and supporting low-income citizens. As part of its efforts to develop rural sports, the foundation has allocated nearly 500 million tenge in funding.
ISF U15 2025 – A Gateway to New Heights for Young Kazakhstani Athletes
We wish them victory and success!
