KFF Representatives Visit Semey as Part of the “Bolashaq Champions” Project

The visit marked one of the first steps in presenting the KFF’s strategic “Bolashaq Champions” project and in shaping the network of regional academies and training centres of the Kazakhstan Football Federation. The project is being implemented as part of the KFF Strategy for 2025–2030 and is aimed at establishing a unified system for the identification, development and training of talented footballers.

As part of the visit programme, a meeting was held with the management of FC Elimay, represented by Director Fedor Siminidi. KFF representatives familiarised themselves with the infrastructure of the club’s newly built academy and new administrative building, assessing the conditions for the development of young players and the organisation of the training process. Particular attention was given to prospects for cooperation between the KFF and the academy, including the possibility of awarding “KFF Academy” status subject to the fulfilment of the required criteria and conditions.

Separate working meetings were also held with representatives of local sports authorities and the regional football community.

In addition, KFF representatives met with the coaching staff and coaches of the FC Elimay academy, as well as with representatives of the Altai Football Centre from Ust-Kamenogorsk. During the meeting, the key priorities of the KFF Strategy for 2025–2030 were presented, along with the “Bolashaq Champions” project, which provides for the development of a network of regional training centres for young players up to the age of 12–13.

In 2026, six regional training centres for players born in 2013–2014 are planned to be opened as part of the project. To this end, KFF representatives will continue their working visits to the regions in the coming months, visiting potential clubs, football centres and academies that may serve as host bases for KFF regional centres. The outcome of these visits will be the identification of base venues, agreement on the cooperation model and the phased launch of the training centres in June 2025.

The meetings in Semey were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere. KFF representatives addressed numerous questions from local managers and specialists and outlined the next steps for joint work within the implementation of the KFF Strategy for 2025–2030.