Zakovat int’l intellectual games take place in Astana

The Zakovat international intellectual games with teams from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan faced one another took place at the Presidential Culture Center in the Kazakh capital of Astana, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

Addressing the opening of the Zakovat intellectual games, Kazakh State Counselor Yerlan Karin pointed out the robustness of friendship between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and development of political and economic ties.

It’s symbolic that this intellectual contest is held ahead of the state visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Kazakhstan. The Zakovat games have turned into another invisible bridge between our nations. Such projects allow us to exchange experiences and expand multifaceted ties between our nations. Saida Mirziyoyeva has done a lot to promote different youth projects, in particular Zakovat. It amazes me how passionate Saida Mirziyoyeva is when it comes to the promotion of this intellectual movement. It’s clear that she cares for values of knowledge and enlightenment to become the key. I’m convinced that her efforts will enable to unlock the collsal creative potential of the youth, said Karin.

For her part, Saida Mirziyoyeva spoke of the significance of greater friendship relations between the two countries.

Today, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan enjoy friendly relations, which is the example for the entire world. Our leaders managed to find solutions to the most pressing issues. While conflicts have engulfed the planet, the political tandem of Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev works to turn Central Asia into the safest, most prosperous and friendly region. These are not just words. Just look at how Kazakhstanis are celebrating Uzbekistani athletes, and our fans are applauding your champions. Yeldos Smetov from Kazakhstan and Diyora Keldiyorova from Uzbekistan won the first gold medals at the Olympics. We came here to celebrate friendship, exchange experiences and hold a knowledge battle. Whatever the outcome of today’s contest is, I wish our friendship to become the main prize of the Zakovat Asian Cap, she said.

The international intellectual movement Zakovat saw its permanent participants rise to 500,000 in 2023. So far, up to 7,000 games with participation of 156,250 teams and around 1,150,000 participants have been held. Tens of international contests have been held in London, Astana, Almaty, Dushanbe and Berlin under the name of Zakovat.