OREANDA-NEWS. March 21, 2008. The second qualifying international boxing tournament is being held in Astana these days that involves more than 100 sportsmen and will determine the owners of five Olympic licenses.

At the meeting, the President noted that it was an important event for Kazakhstan’s sport community. Boxing and wrestling are traditionally very popular in countries of Central Asia.

Because of economic growth, the state has possibilities to pay special attention to sport’s development. Now, a number of old sport facilities are being reconstructed and a variety of new sport objects are being built in Kazakhstan. For example, a new stadium and cycle track are being constructed in Astana. Roofed sport palaces are being constructed within the preparation to the forthcoming Asian Games in 2011.

“I like equestrian sport, golf, play tennis. When I was 56 years old, for the first time I tried mountain skiing sport in order to involve our young people and to show an example. We have to be in a good shape in order to cope with our hard work,” President Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

President of the International Amateur Boxing Association Ching-Kuo Wu said at a press briefing:

“I admire Kazakhstan’s President. Nursultan Nazarbayev said me that everybody must be in good physical condition and perform physical exercises. This is wonderful that Kazakhstan’s leader supports sport’s development in this country”.

Mister Ching-Kuo Wu noted that Kazakhstan has very ambitious plans on sport’s development.

“There are many good boxers in Kazakhstan. Possibly, another five Kazakhstani boxers will be qualified for the Olympic Games in Beijing. I think, good luck will be with Kazakhstan at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Beijing,” the AIBA President said.