FIBA President visited KNUS: Kazakhstan has gained new opportunities for basketball development

The Kazakh National University of Sports was visited by the President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), His Excellency Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani. The visit marked an important step in strengthening international cooperation and developing basketball in Kazakhstan.

The delegation also included the President of the National Basketball Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Abay Alpamyssov, First Vice-President of the National Basketball Federation, Almaz Uzakov, FIBA Senior Manager, Natalia Galkina, and the Ambassador of Qatar to Kazakhstan, Mr. Abdullah Hussein Jaber.

As part of the visit, a meeting was held with the Rector of the Kazakh National University of Sports, Tursynzada Kuangaliyeva. The parties discussed prospects for the development of basketball in Kazakhstan, the improvement of the sports personnel training system, the development of student and professional basketball, the implementation of joint educational and sports projects, and the expansion of international cooperation.

Highly appreciating the conditions created at the university for students and future specialists in the sports industry, the FIBA President noted Kazakhstan's high potential in the development of basketball.

"The Kazakh National University of Sports has created some of the best conditions for students. They are truly happy people. Kazakhstan is a basketball country with great potential for the further development of this sport. We are ready for constant interaction and mutual support in the development of both student and professional basketball," noted His Excellency Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani.

According to him, the development of basketball is impossible without a high-quality personnel training system, a strong educational base, and the creation of conditions for young athletes.

In recognition of his significant contribution to the development of world basketball and the strengthening of international sports cooperation, Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of the Kazakh National University of Sports. This honorary title became a symbol of strengthening partnership relations between the university and the international basketball community.

An important outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Kazakh National University of Sports and the National Basketball Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The document provides for the development of a long-term partnership in the fields of education, science, and sports, the training of qualified specialists, support for young athletes, the exchange of experience, and the implementation of joint projects. Special attention will be paid to the development of student and professional basketball, the preparation of a sports reserve, the introduction of international experience into the educational process, and the creation of new opportunities for young athletes.

The visit of the FIBA President became an important event for KNUS and Kazakhstani basketball, confirming the high interest of the international sports community in the development of basketball in Kazakhstan. KNUS will continue to strengthen cooperation with FIBA Asia and international sports organizations, uniting education, science, and sports to train a new generation of world-class athletes and specialists.