For the first time in Kazakhstan’s history, an international boccia tournament — the Astana 2025 World Boccia Challenger — will be held in Astana. The competition will take place from August 20 to 28 with official support from the Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed), El.kz reports citing the press service of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

According to the federation representative, the tournament will not only be an important sporting event but also a significant milestone in the development of Paralympic disciplines in Kazakhstan. Hosting an event of this level highlights the country’s increasing focus on inclusive sports and its desire to integrate into the international Paralympic movement.

The tournament is especially significant because it will allow Kazakhstani athletes to compete for ranking points necessary to qualify for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Thus, the Astana 2025 World Boccia Challenger will serve as a key stepping stone for many teams on their journey to the most important competition of the four-year cycle.

As of now, 14 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have confirmed their participation.

The tournament will feature individual, pair, and team events. The event is expected to attract top-level athletes.