The Saryarka fitness center at the Nur-Sultan Olympic Training Center began free support a few years ago.

By 2025, all sports facilities must be accessible to people with disabilities. The competent ministry is paying close attention to this issue and is working on its solution. After all, there are more than 300 thousand people with disabilities in the country who are able to play sports. However, only 12.7% of them have permanent jobs.

Eastern Kazakhstan and Nur-Sultan are active in the regions. In other regions, this figure is lower. Now an initiative has been put forward to increase the availability of sports facilities to attract them to mass sports. Currently, there are 590 indoor sports complexes in the country. However, only 20 percent of them are suitable for people with disabilities so that they can move freely and play sports. For example, the capital cycle track "Saryarka" is visited by about 300 people with disabilities. One of them is Serikbai Ashanov. In 2005, a railroad worker lost both legs in the line of duty. However, he did not give up and began to play sports. To date, he has competed in parapowerlifting, aerial shooting and hand-to-hand combat, and has won national titles multiple times. He hasn't stopped training yet. Thanks to this, says my hero, I stay healthy and live a normal life.

"Everything is covered here. The building is wheelchair friendly. There is also an elevator for the disabled. You can work out in the fitness center and in the pool. The instructors help when needed and even give professional advice. For example, I have been going to the pool since 2014 "At first I couldn't swim. I keep turning around because I don't have both legs. The first few days I walked along the pool and held it in my hands. Gradually I got used to it and now I can swim freely," said Serikbay Ashanov.

The Saryarka fitness center at the Nur-Sultan Olympic Training Center began free support a few years ago. The current management and specialists of the center are now systematizing this work and considering ways of its further development. Other sports facilities in the country in the coming years should reach the same level and fully comply with special requirements.

“Now we have hundreds of people with disabilities. We conclude contracts with special organizations and provide the necessary conditions to the nominees. In addition, individuals can come and apply. There are no restrictions. Then he comes at any time and gives a glass. He can even come in with a nanny,” said the head of the fitness center, Azamat Nurlanov.

Already in all sports facilities, disabled people of the 1st and 2nd groups can practice free of charge. The third group of citizens will receive a 50 percent discount. It is planned to involve residents of the house in sports as much as possible. Accordingly, internal competition will increase, and professional Paralympic athletes will be able to compete.

Aslan Kazhenov

Marketing Inspector of the Nur-Sultan Olympic Training Center