UNICEF Representative Attends Special Olympics Football Tournament in KAZAKHSTAN

On 28-29 April 2009 a UNICEF representative attended a football tournament organized by Special Olympics Kazakhstan in Almaty.  Two hundred athletes participated in the tournament.  

Raimbek Sissemaliev, head of the UNICEF Almaty Zone Office, and Program Officer, attended Opening Ceremonies and a press conference. Special Smiles and FunFitness screenings were held in conjunction with the tournament; all athletes were screened. 

During the press conference, held at the press office of the central stadium on 28 April, Sissemaliev said: “Every child is important to UNICEF. We would like to thank Special Olympics for the work it does in Kazakhstan for people with special needs. The cooperation between UNICEF and Special Olympics Kazakhstan was initiated in 2008 with a focus on health issues.  Together, we have had success in our cooperation which involved the local authorities in eastern Kazakhstan the city of Semei.  Funfitness and Special Smiles screenings were organized with the participation of the Department of Education, Department of Public Service, Department of Culture and Sport, and Department of Work and Social Protection.”

Sissemaliev continued: “This year UNICEF has approved Kazakhstan as one of our global partnership pilot countries. UNICEF and Special Olympics Kazakhstan will continue to build on the success they already have.”

A press conference officially announcing the partnership between UNICEF and Special Olympics Kazakhstan will be held in June.

Special Olympics Kazakhstan will join eight other Special Olympics National Programs that have partnership agreements with UNICEF national offices.

 

Photo: (left to right) Special Olympics Kazakhstan athlete Ruslan Umbin, UNICEF representative Raimbek Sissemaliev, and Special Olympics National Director Olga Bakhareva at the press conference on 28 April.  (Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Kazakhstan)