President confident Kazakh sportsmen to live up to expectations and perform at highest level

The issues of preparing for the Games including opening and closing ceremonies, readiness of the cities for Games were discussed at the meeting.

'The whole world will be watching the Games. We have this challenge to hold the event at the highest level. Holding of the Games is an indicator of our authority in the world. The event will bring together sportsmen from 27 countries of Asia', the Head of the country noted.

According to Tourism and Sport Minister of Kazakhstan Temirkhan Dosmukhanbetov athletes will compete for 69 medal sets at the Games.

All sports facilities involved in the competitions were built with latest technology applied and they meet world standards and are architectural masterpieces of the cities.

Members of the Olympic Council of Asia already intend to use our sports facilities for training sportsmen for the Olympic Games in Sochi.

Presently, 27 countries have confirmed their participation in the Games. The total number of sportsmen and officials is 4 135 people.

Upon the completion of the meeting the Head of State charged to check one more time all sports facilities for compliance with international standards.

'These unique facilities are called on to be national treasure of Kazakhstan. They will serve not only for Kazakhstan's sportsmen but become centers for development of sport', the President emphasized.

N. Nazarbayev said that special attention must be paid to opening and closing ceremonies of the Asian Games and pointed out a positive role that the Games would play for the people of Kazakhstan.

'The Asian Games are important for promotion of healthy life style and sport in whole and for patriotism', N. Nazarbayev said.

'Kazakhstan has 117 Olympic Champions, World Champions and Asian Games Champions and their success raises the image of our country to a new height. We fully realize that we will face strong opponents but nevertheless we put an ambitious goal to be in top three in medals rankings', the President added.

The Head of State expressed confidence that Kazakh sportsmen would live up to expectations and perform at highest level.