ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 15. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a law establishing a ban on the financing of foreign legionnaires using state budget funds and funds from quasi-governmental entities, Trend reports.
President Tokayev signed the law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan Regarding Physical Culture and Sports, and the Elimination of Excessive Legislative Regulation.”
“The law is aimed at improving state policy in the field of physical culture and sports. The authorized body will develop national and regional lists of priority sports, determine the list of elite sports, as well as the procedures for their funding from the state budget,” the press service of the President of Kazakhstan stated.
According to information, priority sports will be determined based on performance in international competitions. These include sports included in the Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic, Asian, and Para-Asian Games programs, as well as national sports.
“The law also improves the accreditation process for sports federations, which will be categorized into national and local federations. A ban has been introduced on the financing of foreign legionnaires from both the state budget and funds of quasi-state sector entities,” the press release noted.
The information also added that from now on, state budget funding in Kazakhstan will be directed toward four main areas: elite sports, including priority sports; the operation of state physical culture and sports organizations; mass sports; and the development of sports infrastructure.
“Unified standards for athlete training have been developed, which include measures to strengthen traditional values and patriotic education. The concept of ‘national standards for sports training’ has been introduced,” the information adds.
The authorized body will also be granted powers to take action in cases of anti-doping rule violations.