Interview of Kazakhstan Football Union president Rakhat Aliyev

On the Day of Kazakhstan football – April 25, president of football union of Kazakhstan Rakhat Aliyev made a present to hundreds of Kazakhstan football fans and announced that he is looking forward to Kazakhstan combined team to start its year in Europe Championship selection tournament headed by a new trainer – Dutch Arno Pipers

R. Aliyev: April 25 is a special day for all our fans. Four years ago we joined UEFA. This, possibly, is the biggest event, that we joined Union of European football associations. For us April 25 is a festive and very important date. I would like to congratulate all football fans, players, trainers and, of course, the youth, on this day. We connect our future and our success on the European arena with the youth. It is not a secret that there were very many skeptics who did not believe in possibility of becoming UEFA member. However, we proved everyone that we could achieve this. Today we can say that because of UEFA membership our Football union is the only Kazakhstan organization equally represented in Europe.

Kazakhstan Today: Can you comment on the first months of the work of Dutch trainer Arno Pipers in Kazakhstan state combined team and capital team “Astana”?

R. Aliyev: Kazakhstan football union executive committee first raised a question that country combined team had to be headed by the representative of a famous football school and only then approved the decision on appointment of Holland trainer Arno Pipers. Russia, for example, also invited trainers from Holland for its combined team. The work done by Arno Pipers now calls our approval. I admit that I am, just like all Kazakhstani fans, looking forward to Kazakhstan combined team start selection tournament in Europe Championship. Just like everyone, I hope that the team of Arno Pipers will please us with its game, scored goals, and, of course, long-expected victories. The first game of Kazakhstan combined team will take place in Brussels against famous Belgium team.

Kazakhstan Today: What first steps or decisions pleased you in Arno Pipers?
R. Aliyev: He watched our leading players perform and made a decision to focus on Kazakhstan youth. I am glad that the players noticed by Arno Pipers have already showed good results in the first rounds of championship. This means that the trainer has flair. He knows what, how and why he does.

Kazakhstan Today: It is traditional to make presents on holidays… Do you have something to please Kazakhstan fans?

R. Aliyev: Yes, we have presents for our fans. Football union has been actively working to obtain the right to translate all 64 matches of the upcoming world championship final tournament. I can say for sure that we will show all these tournaments. Now Kazakhstan Football union is deciding on the channel or channels to broadcast this event. We want this football holiday to be shown in all corners of our country.

Kazakhstan Today: Unfortunately, Kazakhstan combined team will not take part in this holiday…

R. Aliyev: Of course it’s a pity that our team will not participate in the tournament. But everything is ahead of us. I think we will manage to place Kazakhstan football on a new level in four-five years.

Kazakhstan Today: What makes you to be sure in success?

R. Aliyev: This can be seen from the position we had on April 25, 2002 – the day of Kazakhstan entry to UEFA. We went through the period of formation and consolidation of Kazakhstan Football union. Now creative work takes place. All leaders of different regions –akims of oblasts, cities actively contribute to formation of football in the country. This, of course, is an achievement of the President of our country Nursultan Nazarbayev. I had several conversations when the President was asking about various aspects of football development in our country. The position of Nursultan Abishevich stimulates development of Kazakhstan football.

Another reason to believe in success is having a knowledable, qualified and ambitious trainer of combined team – Holland specialist Arno Pipers. Executive committee of Football union, National football league have specific plan of actions. Now considerable investments are given to children-youth football. Construction of fields with artificial covering, increase in number of competitions conducted for our children, - this all will bring its fruit and will help to educate the youth we could be proud of.

National football league made a decision to include not fewer than two football players younger than 21 years old in every match and every team. We can already see that these young players score decisive goals. They have strong willingness to distinguish themselves to be notable. You can see how the youth play: they need to show their game and grow to the level of European quality football.