The path to success and reputation of the university

Sports achievements of students and faculty play an important role in shaping the image of educational institutions. Participation in competitions, especially at high levels, not only promotes the university but also helps athletes build their own reputations. Competing allows a university to showcase itself nationally and internationally, while victories and prize-winning positions enhance its prestige, attracting potential students and partners. For athletes, competitions provide a chance to demonstrate their abilities, gain recognition, and potentially pursue a career in professional sports.

At Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), the Sports Club and the Center for a Healthy Lifestyle (CHL) train athletes, some of whom achieve success at national and international levels. In this interview, Svetlana Gennadyevna Sirotina, senior lecturer of the Sports Club, CHL coach for sports orienteering of the highest qualification category, and national judge of the highest category in sports orienteering, shares information about the university’s student sports achievements and the activities of the Sports Club.

– Svetlana Gennadyevna, could you describe the activities of the Sports Club, the contribution of the CHL to promoting a healthy lifestyle among youth, and the sports disciplines in which students participate?

– Our team consists of teachers who are experts in their respective sports. We conduct practical classes in Physical Culture for 1st- and 2nd-year undergraduate students. Students choose classes according to their preferred sport—a club-style system that has been in place for a long time. Due to renovations, most students currently focus on general physical training. Once the sports complex is fully operational, the Sports Club will resume full activities in specialized halls.

For students with health limitations, special medical groups and therapeutic physical culture programs are organized, tailored to their needs.

Our instructors also train students in various sports, including judo, sambo, volleyball, basketball, badminton, boxing, football, and more. Training is offered not only to athletes with high sports ranks but also to students from different faculties who wish to improve their skills and compete.

– Does the CHL organize cultural and mass events with participation from students of other universities?

– Organizing events is an essential part of CHL’s work, promoting cultural exchange and community engagement. These events attract participants of different ages and interests, contributing to the city’s cultural life. University students and staff actively participate in events such as the Freshman Initiation, Autumn Fair, Nauryz celebrations, community cleanups, and Children’s Day.

The Sports Club also organizes competitions such as Dean’s Cups, interfaculty Spartakiads, and tournaments with the student union. Last year, an Open Toguz Kumalak Tournament was held at the Al-Farabi Library, celebrating KazNU’s 90th anniversary and International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Teams from 14 universities in Almaty participated, including foreign students from Bangladesh, Yemen, China, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

In January 2025, the 51st traditional Spartakiad “Health” was held among faculty and staff, featuring mini-football, volleyball, table tennis, chess, and toguz kumalak. All faculties enthusiastically participated.

– Could you provide details about student sports achievements? How successful are KazNU students?

– For student sports in Kazakhstan, the main competition is the Summer and Winter Universiades. KazNU traditionally forms teams and competes in the Summer Universiade. In May–June of this year, competitions were held in Turkestan across 16 sports disciplines. Our students performed admirably, winning 60 medals: 19 gold, 15 silver, and 26 bronze.

KazNU achieved 4th place overall in the medal tally. First place was won in: girls’ badminton, boys’ volleyball, chess, Greco-Roman wrestling, and girls’ table tennis. Second place: boys’ judo, girls’ basketball, boys’ badminton. Third place: girls’ toguz kumalak, girls’ taekwondo, boys’ swimming.

KazNU has historically held first place 10 times in past Summer Universiades. The XIII Summer Universiade showed the need for joint training of athletes in one location. Renovations of the sports complex limited full training opportunities for 1st- and 2nd-year students this year.

Athletes also have uniforms and flags with the KazNU logo, ensuring a professional appearance at ceremonies.

Students represent KazNU not only in city and national competitions but also at international events, including Asian and World Championships and Cups. In 2024–2025, KazNU students won 243 prizes at national competitions and 49 at international competitions.

At the Second Turkic Universiade in Kyrgyzstan, KazNU athletes achieved:

• 1st place in judo (100 kg) – Mavlidov Muhammedali, 2nd-year student

• 2nd place in freestyle wrestling (97 kg) – Aitbekov Akezhan

• 3rd place – university volleyball team

All achievements are published on the university’s website, and the Sports Club and CHL page is regularly updated, especially during major competitions like the Universiade.

– How do your trainers and instructors stay effective amid evolving sports trends and methodologies?

– Our instructors regularly participate in national and international conferences, online and offline seminars, and undergo professional development in both pedagogical skills and their respective sports, including coaching and refereeing courses. Continuous improvement ensures high-quality physical education instruction.

– Thank you for your insights! We wish you success in upcoming competitions!

Interviewed by: Kairzhan TUREZHANOV