On August 1–2, the AOSI West Asia Swimming Championship took place at NU, marking the first time the prestigious regional competition has been held in Kazakhstan. The championship brought together around 450 young swimmers from seven countries, including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, India, Iran, Thailand, Russia, and Malaysia. The international tournament was organized by the iSwim Academy in partnership with Global Aquatics.
Opening the championship, NU Vice President Kadisha Dairova, welcomed the participants and emphasized that the University was honored to host a competition of such significance, bringing together talented young athletes from across the region.
“On behalf of Nazarbayev University, it is a great honor to welcome you to this remarkable event. I am confident that among you are future Olympic champions. I sincerely hope that, when the time comes to choose a university, you will consider joining the NU community. Here, you will receive a world-class education that will provide a strong foundation for your future achievements. Welcome to NU!” said Kadisha Dairova.
The participants were also addressed by Dmitriy Balandin, Secretary General of the Kazakhstan Swimming Sports Federation and the 2016 Olympic champion. He noted that hosting international competitions of this caliber reflects the growing global recognition of Kazakhstan’s aquatic sports and creates new opportunities for the next generation of athletes.
“We are reaching a new level of international engagement, and it is especially inspiring to witness the rapid development of aquatic sports in Kazakhstan. Standing before us today are very young athletes, and I hope that for some of you this championship will be your first step, and for others another important milestone, on the path toward your dreams and, ultimately, the Olympic podium. I wish you an unforgettable experience, new friendships, and outstanding performances,” said Dmitriy Balandin.
This is the first time the West Asia Swimming Championship has been held in Kazakhstan. NU’s selection as the host venue reflects the high quality of its sports infrastructure, which meets modern international standards and provides an ideal setting for competitions of this scale.
