Kazakhstan has launched a pilot programme offering free archery classes at secondary schools in major cities, aiming to promote healthy lifestyles and expand access to sports among schoolchildren.

The initiative is designed to introduce young people to archery while helping them develop concentration, coordination, discipline and emotional self-control, Qazinform News Agency reports.

Yedil Temirbekov, executive director of the National Archery Federation of Kazakhstan, said that schools provide an ideal starting point for introducing children to the sport.

The project is being implemented with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the sports development directorate and regional akimats (administrations).

The school programme represents the first stage in building a continuous system for training Kazakhstan’s future athletes.

Students who demonstrate strong motivation and talent will have opportunities to progress to specialised sports schools and archery sections, helping develop the country’s next generation of competitors.

Academy at the Kazakh National University of Sports in Astana. The institution is expected to strengthen training opportunities and support the development of archery nationwide.

Kazakhstan currently has 1,207 registered archers and 95 certified coaches.

The introduction of free school classes is intended to broaden participation in the sport and establish a pathway from school-level training to professional competition.

The initiative comes as Kazakhstan expands educational opportunities for children in other fields as well. Since September, the country has also been introducing schoolchildren to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence.