More Than 1,000 Participants Engaged in KFF Social and Inclusion Projects in 2025

17 December 2025, 17:20

The Kazakhstan Football Federation carried out extensive work to develop social, inclusion and grassroots initiatives. This period marked an expansion of social integration through football, support for children and adults with special needs, as well as the implementation of programmes aimed at working with refugees and providing them with professional training.

Last year, the national CP Football and Blind Football teams took part in international competitions, strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in parasport. The CP Football national team competed at the international Steel Will tournament in Sochi (Russia), while the Blind Football team represented the country at the Intercontinental Cup in India, delivering strong performances on the international stage.

In the current year, this area was further expanded through participation in three international competitions: the Open Cup in Russia, a tournament in Dzerzhinsk, and the Blind Football European Championship in Kraków.

The year 2025 marked a stage of professionalisation for inclusive football. PRO-level coaching seminars under the auspices of the IFCPF were organised, along with professional Blind Football courses and training in audio description. The implementation of these programmes raised the standard of specialist training in inclusive sport to a new level. The national Blind Football team finished third at the European Championship in Division B, securing promotion to the top Division A.

Last year, UNI Football League sections for children with autism and Down syndrome were launched in nine cities across the country, laying the foundation for the systematic development of inclusive football. This year, the tournament’s geographical reach expanded, with the number of participants exceeding 100 children. The initiative is a joint project of the Kazakhstan Football Federation and the Bolashak Foundation, with the Freeedom Shapagat Foundation serving as the general sponsor.

One of the largest social initiatives was the KFF Friendship Cup, which brought together representatives of different religious denominations across the country. The number of participating teams increased, with total involvement exceeding 200 people.

In addition, as part of efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle, the Walking Football project for the 50+ age group was implemented. Tournaments were held in Astana, Almaty, Petropavlovsk and Kokshetau. The competition format предусматривает matches played exclusively at walking pace, with running prohibited.

Work with refugees was developed into a dedicated social programme. Four tournaments were held in Almaty and Shymkent as part of the Games of the World project, alongside the organisation of coaching and refereeing courses for refugees.

By the end of the year, the Federation plans to stage the traditional KFF Friendship Cup and hold a training camp for CP Football.

Overall, the year’s results demonstrate steady growth in the Kazakhstan Football Federation’s activities in the field of social and inclusive sport. The expansion of inclusive initiatives at the international level, the launch of a new social programme focused on refugees, and the introduction of professional educational pathways confirm KFF’s systematic approach to addressing key social challenges through football. In the coming year, the Federation will continue to develop football as an effective tool for inclusion, social support and the protection of vulnerable groups.