History of Handball in Kazakhstan
Creation of the Federation and International Recognition
After the collapse of the USSR, handball in Kazakhstan began to develop as an independent sport. In 1992, the Handball Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan was established, and that same year, Kazakhstan became a member of the International Handball Federation (IHF), opening new opportunities for participation in international tournaments.
First Steps on the International Stage
The debut of the Kazakhstan national team in official competitions took place in 1993 at the Asian Championship for Women in China. This tournament became a significant milestone in the history of Kazakhstan handball, laying the foundation for its further development.
The Role of the First Federation Leaders
The first leaders of the Federation made a significant contribution to the establishment and development of independent Kazakhstani handball:
- Amirzhanov E.A. (president of the Federation from 1992–1995) – the first president of the Federation, who laid the foundations for the management and development of the sport.
- Saparbaev B.M. (president of the Federation from 1996–1998) – continued the work of strengthening national teams and popularizing handball in the country.
Popularization and International Achievements
A key figure in the development of handball in Kazakhstan was the honorary president of the Handball Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Turlikhanov D.B., whose support helped increase interest in the sport and the number of athletes.
Modern Development Stage
For the past 25 years, the Handball Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been headed by Turlikhanov G.I., whose work includes strengthening the country’s position in global handball, developing youth and professional teams, as well as expanding the infrastructure of handball sports.