As part of the pilot project “Promoting an Inclusive Society for Children with Intellectual Disabilities in East Kazakhstan Region,” implemented by UNICEF and Special Olympics, sports and wellness events were held in Ust‑Kamenogorsk on March 13–14, 2015. Approximately 100 children from Ust‑Kamenogorsk, Zyryanovsk, Semey, Ridder, Karaganda, Aktau, Almaty, Balkhash, Serebryansk, and Ayagoz participated.
The event featured athletics competitions between children with intellectual disabilities and a “Unified Sports” relay, where children with and without intellectual disabilities competed together.
All events took place at the Olga Rypakova Athletics Arena. The program began with an opening ceremony attended by: Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports E. Chikenov; Head of the Employment and Social Programs Coordination Department Aizhan Sadikova; Director of the Healthy Lifestyle Center Tatyana Ermolaeva; UNICEF project coordinator in East Kazakhstan Ardak Sailaubayeva; and Olympic champion Olga Rypakova. Nine media outlets, including regional television, were present. Representatives from government bodies and Olga Rypakova delivered welcoming speeches, encouraging the participants to pursue their sporting goals. Following the speeches, the Kazakh national anthem was performed and the Special Olympics flag was raised. The children recited the athlete’s oath. A special highlight was a cheerleading performance by students from School-Gymnasium No. 38, who brightened the event for everyone.
Following the ceremony, the athletics competitions began, alongside the “Healthy Athlete” program, which featured two components: “Healthy Eyes” and “Healthy Lifestyle.” The “Healthy Eyes” program was delivered in partnership with the East Kazakhstan Mother and Child Center, which provided ophthalmologist Dr. Zarina Adilbekova and necessary medical equipment. Athletes diagnosed with vision issues received treatment recommendations and eyeglass frames. The “Healthy Lifestyle” program was supported by the East Kazakhstan Healthy Lifestyle Center, which provided specialists and informational materials. After examinations, each athlete received healthy living brochures and fruit. Student volunteers from the Ust‑Kamenogorsk Medical College actively supported the screenings.
During lunch, all participants received a hot meal provided by Pizza Blues LLP, which sponsored meals for 100 people.
After lunch, the “Unified Sports” relay resumed. The event concluded with an awards ceremony, honoring every athlete for their achievements. The organizers expressed their gratitude to Denis Rypakov, director of the athletics arena, for providing the facilities for the project.
Thanks were also extended to: the entire athletics arena staff; Denis Rypakov; Tatyana Ermolaeva, director of the Healthy Lifestyle Center; Raya Rahimova, director of the Mother and Child Center; Zinaida Kichigina, director of School‑Gymnasium No. 38; Vadim Ovsyannikov, head of the East Kazakhstan Health Department; Alexander Afonin, director of Pizza Blues LLP; Adlet Akhmadiyev, director of Ust‑Kamenogorsk Medical College; and the volunteers who, for the third year, have been dedicated to supporting children with intellectual disabilities.
On March 18, 2015, the “Young Athlete” program event took place at the Olga Rypakova Athletics Arena. Thirty‑four children participated. Volunteers from Group 14‑111sr of the East Kazakhstan College of Management and Technology greatly contributed to the program.
Held ahead of Kazakhstan’s national holiday, the sports festivities included development games with national flair. To build coordination and speed, children played roles as horses and jockeys in pairs.
In the next phase, children participated in bouncing‑ball races. To promote mobility, agility, and aim, a bowling activity was introduced. A highlight of the celebration was a cultural dance performance by the student volunteers, who shared a traditional Kazakh dance with the children, resulting in much joy and participation.
The arena’s management delighted the children by flying a model plane inside the dome, performing aerobatic maneuvers to the children’s delight. The sports celebration continued with a relay race.
In conclusion, children, volunteers, and social workers engaged in a friendly tug‑of‑war—indeed, friendship won! As always, the event’s most touching moment was the distribution of participation gifts. Each child received an individual prize. The children’s joy, laughter, and smiles were the primary goals of this event!
Координатор проекта Special Olympics в ВКО Ольга Свириденко
