JUDO
FEDERATION

Kenes Rakishev: “Kazakhstani judo has a real holiday”

After the finish of the first day of the World Grand-Prix the briefing with the participation of Kazakhstani Judo Federation President Kenes Rakishev, International Judo Federation Marius Vizer and Asian Judo Union President Obaid Al-Anzi took place in conference-hall of Royal Tulip hotel in Almaty.

KenesRakishev:

- Today Kazakhstani judo has a real holiday. First of all, The world Grand-Prix has started. This is a significant event, because September stage of this competitions will be carried out in Kazakhstan (before 2016 inclusive – author’s note). Let’s go further. Some hours ago we, before the audience, in the presence of Almaty city head Akhmetzhan Smagulovich Esimov, held the presentation of building of future Judo academy, which planned to be opened next year. We need our own house long time ago and it’s not excluded that during the time Academy will get the international status. Finally, we will sign with Mister Vizer the documents in some minutes, which will officially prove the fact that the World Judo championship 2015 will be held in Astana. I’m agree that there a lot of events for just one day, however all these things have been done to raise Kazakhstani judo to the unprecedented height. I would like to express gratitude to all Federationsand especially Confederation, which we couldn’t to implement our plans without. I thank Mister Vizer, who came to Kazakhstan. We couldn’t promote our brand on the international level so actively without his support. Therefore on behalf of all Judo supporters I would like to award him with “Tarlan” order.

Marius Vizer:

- Yesterday I lead many important meetings. We have negotiated the future Judo center in Almaty and, of course, have been talking about the World championship-2015, which now officially belongs to Astana. This forum will give the strongest impetus in Kazakhstani judo development. In addition, it will become the last championship before the Brazilian Olympic Games-2016. So I wish you good luck and I want to say one hundred percent truth: now your judo is developing by real high paces, and it’s indeed serious level.

Obaid Al-Anzi:

- I thank Kenes Rakishev for invitation in Almaty. I’m sure that the world championship in Astana will be a great success. Kazakhstan has very good possibilities to organize such events.

Further there was a standard flow of questions from mass media

- Besides Astana, which cities were the pretenders for the world championship-2015 carrying out? Which definite reasons were adduced to Astana’s favor? (questions for Marius Vizer)

- Big amount of money is necessary to carry out such a forum on the highest level. We chose between Ulan-Bator, Dubai, Budapest and Astana. It was decided that the best variant for today is Astana.

-This moment wrestling has some difficulties, recently it had been wanted to exclude from the Olympic family. What does International Judo Federation undertake to exclude this risk?

- Every day we make efforts to maintain Judo world quality on the highest level. We don’t have such serious issues, as Wrestling Federation has, we don’t have such problems. Work is being done perfectly.

- Nevertheless, as we have found out, you are not so satisfied by the organization of Grand-Prix in Almaty?

- Really, we are.I havedefinite notes, which, however, I wouldn’t like to voice now. Kazakhstani Judo Federation should work with us more intensively in the issues of organization, because such difficult tournament, as Grand-Prix is, may be carried out better.

- Does Kazakhstan have chance to become the Word Judo State in future?

- Why not?! You have a great potential, you have already joined our family. You just need to work harder, to focus your attention on the organization of such significant competitions, particularly you the world championship is coming. Also it’s necessary to work with stuff within the Federation and with coaching personnel.

- Today you have promised to the Head Esimov, that the Judo Academy will be built in Almaty next year. Which are its main tasks? (Questions for Kenes Rakishev)

- When I started to implement my duties on the post of Kazakhstani Judo Federation President, I made the priority at once – to improve infrastructure, which is, unfortunately, now is in very sad condition. We practically have no gyms; we have big problems on all parameters in this issue. I personally inspected Almaty and have been shocked. Despite the fact that we have repaired three gyms afterwards, I set the definite task – to build our own gym. Our judo must have its own house, to train new stars not only of Kazakhstani level, but also the world level. Moreover, now we are working at the issue of Judo inclusion in school program. We have already sent the application to the Government.

- The first sport club, “TAK Astana Club”, was presented at the beginning of this year in the capital. Does it mean that in future it may join the “Astana” Presidential Professional sport club?

- Of course, it means. Moreover, we think to establish the state club championship in Kazakhstan. The best judokas will go to our club. Anyway, soon you will see the results of our work. On my behalf, I promise to do everything for local judo grows and has been on the most qualitative level around the world. I thank everybody, despite the weekend, you are with us. Thank you.