Kazakhstan, Astana, June 9 / Trend , K. Konirova/
Astana will host 2011 Asian Winter Games, Tourism and Sports Minister Temirkhan Dosmuhambetov said.
"The games will be opened in Astana. The opening is the most important. Part of the sportsmen live before the closing. Even China with 1.5 billon population organized the closing ceremony in a palace that hosted 4,000 people. But the opening was very sensational. We should follow their example," Dosmuhambetov said.
The minister said an organizing committee has been launched to hold the winter games. The committee is led by Prime Minister Karim Masimov.
"The opening will be held in a covered stadium which can host 30,000 people. In fact, we do not have a director to organize this event. Both China and Qatar who host Asian Games invite foreign directors. We are holding talks on this issue," the minister said.
The closing ceremony ill be held at the Sports Palace named after Baluan Sholak. "Funds will be allocated geographically- to Almaty for closing and to Astana for opening," he said.
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