Taraz Breaks Ground on Modern Football Academy

On 22 November 2025, a solemn ceremony was held in Taraz to lay the foundation stone of a new, state-of-the-art football academy. The event was attended by David Loriya, General Secretary of the Kazakhstan Football Federation, Erbol Karashokeev, Akim of Zhambyl Region, Galymbek Zhaksylykuly, Executive Director of the Halyk Foundation, as well as veteran athletes and local residents.

The upcoming academy, to be built in Zhambyl Region, is set to become a key hub for youth football development in Kazakhstan. According to the project, around 100 talented young players, selected from across the country, will be trained there.

All infrastructure will meet FIFA and UEFA standards, providing comprehensive conditions to nurture the professional growth of future champions.

“The KFF is implementing large-scale initiatives to nurture the future national team. Building this academy is one of the most important steps,” said David Loriya. “I am confident that many of the young talents developed here will one day wear the national team jersey and bring glory to Kazakhstan on the international stage. Systematic training of children and adolescents is the future of our football. The academy—developed in partnership with the Halyk Foundation and aligned to international standards—is a major contribution to our country’s football development.”

Under the terms of the memorandum, the Halyk Foundation will invest up to 3.5 billion tenge in the project, covering all stages from design and construction to full operation. Funding will also support engineering infrastructure, sports equipment procurement, inventory, and furnishings.

The parties will jointly develop a roadmap for the project’s execution. The design and financial feasibility studies will be carried out based on technical specifications prepared by the Kazakhstan Football Federation.

“Our mission is to open up new possibilities for the younger generation,” said Galymbek Zhaksylykuly, Executive Director of the Halyk Foundation. “We are investing not just in sport, but in dreams and the bright future of youth. We believe this project will inspire thousands of children and make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of sport in Kazakhstan.”

Once completed, the academy will significantly raise the standard of youth sport in Zhambyl Region, offering local young people a pathway into professional football and becoming an important pillar of the region’s sporting potential.

“This project marks a new chapter in the sporting history of Zhambyl Region. We aim to provide the best conditions for our youth. A football academy is not just infrastructure—it is the realization of every child’s dream. We are fully committed to supporting every initiative that helps reveal young talent,” emphasised Erbol Karashokeev, Akim of Zhambyl Region.

The academy will feature a dormitory for players, educational classrooms, a medical block, an administrative building, as well as multiple indoor and outdoor training pitches built to professional standards.