Kazakhstan gears up for Asian Winter Games in wake of Olympic Bid
With the Asian Games happening now in China, Kazakhstan prepares for its moment on the world stage, as it will host the Asian Winter Games in less than 100 days from now.
The land-locked central Asian nation, which turned heads when it applied for the 2014 Winter Olympics, is becoming a hotbed for professional skiers and winter sports enthusiasts in search of a new and exciting venue.
The Country's President Nursultan Nazarbayev hopes that by hosting the European Championship qualifying games, as well as the upcoming Asian Games, he will achieve his goal of bringing Kazakhstan into the 2014 Winter Olympic bid.
Those involved are working on infrastructure in preparation for the country’s debut on the world stage. Plans for the opening and closing ceremonies are underway, and organizers hope to showcase Kazak culture to the world.
In what Nazarbayev called an effort to improve Kazakhstan’s rate of development, a ski and biathlon location has been set up in Talgar district, turning what was once a barren construction zone into a functional sports ground.
Nazarbayev hopes that by hosting the games, Kazakhstan will build a good reputation, increase its clout for the Winter Olympics bid, and foster new ties with the rest of Asia. He lauded the country’s chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation
in Europe as another sign that the nation is moving forward.
The nation’s efforts have received good feedback in the Asian press leading up to the games. Most of the country’s international airport has been re-built and main transit routes have been improved to meet international standards.
The China Daily reported that, “Despite media speculation that Kazakhstan would be unable to complete the necessary preparations on time for the Games in the midst of the global financial crisis, almost all projects have been finished.”
Hotels in the capital have been equipped to receive over 7,500 guests, and the Almaty tourist industry is gearing up for a wave of business.
A new stadium has been built in Astana, which will be capable of seating 30,000 people for the opening ceremony of the European Championship qualifying games. Baluan Sholak in Almaty will host the closing ceremony. The bandy competition is to be held at
the Medeo ice rink.
In the capital city, both the ice arena and cycling track have been equipped to accommodate a wide range of sports, and the Kazakhstan sports complex is up and running.
Trial competitions were held at the International Trampoline Complex, and the stadium has won the praise of visiting sports critics.
If the nation makes a good impression at the Asian Winter games and the European Championship qualifying games, Kazakhstan may have a shot at hosting the 2014 Olympics and putting central Asia back on the map.
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