Republican Mini-football Tournament - “Unified”

In the period from May 18 to 19, 2019, in Taldykorgan there was “Unified” Republican Tournament in mini-football. The unified-football team consists of athletes and partners who have similar ages and abilities.

The tournament organizers are Kazakhstan Special Olympics public organization, Almaty region akimat, Department of physical culture and sports of Almaty region and the disabled sports club of the Almaty region.

For more than 27 years, Special Olympics Organization Kazakhstan has been engaged in rehabilitation and adaptation of disabled children with mental disabilities by involving them in regular training in 18 Olympic sports. This noble movement, founded in 1968 by Kennedy family (USA), swept the whole world, including Kazakhstan. Thanks to sponsorship, Special Olympics Kazakhstan Movement covers about 7,500 disabled athletes in 14 regions of the country.

Teams from Aktobe, Mangystau, Kostanay, Pavlodar, Almaty, Karaganda regions, cities of Almaty and Nur-Sultan took part in the tournament.

It is worth pointing out our best players, AlmaU students - Daniyara Zhaksylyk, Aydar Usen and Tolenda Chaymardan.

According to the rules of "Special Olympics Inc", partners and athletes with intellectual disabilities play in the team, which creates the uniqueness of the competitions in the Unified program. The project partners were 1 year students of AlmaU, within Service Learning discipline of.

“I think the match was a success, because of the children’s excitement, their activity and positive aggression, inspired with a victory. The next major start will be the International tournament in Lithuania at the end of June. ”- says the team coach, Gulnara Bokanovna.

Our football players are pupils and graduates of a special comprehensive school of Almaty, winners of the city special mini-football tournament 2019. The team in its division took second place, losing to athletes of Pavlodar region. The third place went to Kostanay team.

Teams of students and graduates of special secondary schools in Kazakhstan united through the republican Unified mini-football tournament - changed the sports world for the better and played a role in motivating children with disabilities in the republic.