Sporting achievements best way to boost country's image - Kazakh President

ASTANA. August 17. KAZINFORM Victories of Kazakh athletes at the Olympics in London is a direct proof of the fact that Kazakhstan not coincidentally seeks to host the world championships and sports competitions, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev stated at a ceremony honoring the winners of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

"In Kazakhstan, more than 250,000 children and adolescents are engaged in sports at 418 children's' and youth sports schools. I believe that the example of our athletes will lead to the stadium hundreds of future champions. World sporting achievements are the best way to boost the country's image," Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

"Everyone knows that champions can not be fostered without a strong economic base, stability, without the developed country. In the 21st century, only a strong healthy nation can be competitive. I set the task of the government - to attract 30 percent of the population to physical education and sport until 2020," the President of Kazakhstan emphasized.