Minister Kanat Sharalpaev has taken the helm of the sports federation.

The Minister of Industry and Construction Kanat Sharlapaev has been appointed as the head of the Rugby Federation of Kazakhstan, reports Sports.kz citing KazTAG.

“On January 25, 2025, during an extraordinary general meeting of the Legal Entities Association 'QAZAQSTAN RUGBY', Kanat Bisimbaevich Sharlapaev, the current Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was unanimously elected as the new president of the Federation,” stated the press service of the Ministry of Industry and Construction on Saturday.

The ministry indicated that Sharlapaev's appointment “opens up new opportunities for promoting rugby in Kazakhstan, attracting youth to this sport, and strengthening the country's international status within the rugby community.”

Under Sharlapaev’s leadership, the Rugby Federation plans to focus on:
— expanding the accessibility of children’s and youth sections across the country;
— supporting women's teams that have already achieved significant success on the global stage;
— constructing and modernizing specialized infrastructure;
— actively promoting rugby through social media, media projects, and large-scale sporting events.

Special attention will be given to the development of youth rugby and engaging young people in sports.

“Rugby in Kazakhstan continues to evolve, with notable achievements from the women's national team, which ranks 19th in the world standings and has repeatedly won prestigious international tournaments. Meanwhile, the men's national team and youth squads are also making their mark on the international stage. The Rugby Federation plans to actively develop this sport by supporting youth and creating conditions for involving new generations in a healthy and active lifestyle,” the ministry added.

Sharlapaev has been serving as the Minister of Industry and Construction since September 2023.