Preparations for the 15th World Kurash Senior Championships, scheduled to take place from 4 to 9 November this year in Astana, Kazakhstan, have officially entered the practical phase.
In this regard, a working group led by Mansur Mirzaev, Head of the Administration of the International Kurash Association (IKA), visited Astana to inspect the competition venues and review the organisational preparations for the upcoming World Championships.
During the working visit, the delegation conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Jekpe-Jek Sports Complex, which will host the 15th World Kurash Championships. Distinguished by its modern architecture and unique exterior design resembling a soaring eagle, the complex fully complies with international standards for hosting major sporting events. Its main arena, with a seating capacity of 5,000 spectators, offers all the necessary facilities to organise Kurash competitions at the highest level.
The delegation also visited the King Hotel, where championship participants will be accommodated. The facilities provided for athletes, officials, and guests were thoroughly reviewed. In addition, the hotel’s conference halls are planned to host the IKA Directing Committee Meeting, the IKA Congress, as well as the International Refereeing and Coaching Seminar and the accompanying certification examinations.
In the second half of the day, an online working meeting was held with the participation of Umid Yakubov, IKA Advisor; Ravi Kapoor, IKA Technical Director; Mansur Mirzaev, Head of the IKA Administration; Hyeong Sik Bae, IKA Sports Director; Andrey Borgens, President of the Kazakhstan Kurash Federation; and other specialists. During the meeting, participants discussed the championship programme, organisational arrangements, logistics, delegation reception, technical matters, and protocol procedures. Following detailed discussions, specific responsibilities were assigned to the respective officials.
The next working meeting was attended by Mohammad Reza Nassiri, IKA General Secretary; Umid Yakubov, IKA Advisor; Mansur Mirzaev, Head of the IKA Administration; and Jamshid Namozov, Chairman of the IKA Media and PR Committee. During the meeting, the current state of preparations for the World Championships was reviewed, and it was agreed that a comprehensive report on the progress of the ongoing work would be submitted to Ziyoviddin Khodjiniyazov, Acting President of the International Kurash Association.
According to Andrey Borgens, President of the Kazakhstan Kurash Federation, the latest working visit by the International Kurash Association delegation once again demonstrates the rapid progress of the preparation process and the special attention being devoted to the forthcoming World Championships.
“Hosting the World Championships is both a great responsibility and an important opportunity for Kazakhstan to showcase its capability to organise major international sporting events at the highest level. We are mobilising all our efforts and resources to provide excellent conditions for athletes, coaches, officials, and guests from around the world, and to ensure that the Championships are delivered to the highest organisational standards,” said Andrey Borgens.
