Kazakhstan President Kasim-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Ermek Marzhikpayev from the post of Minister of Tourism and sports, the press service of the country's leader announced. "By decree of the head of state Marzhikpaev Ermek Boranbaevich has been released from the post of Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan," the text says. The reason for the personnel decision is not specified.
The rollover takes place days before the opening of the biggest sports event - the 5th World Nomad Games, which a number of experts define as the "second Olympic Games", which will be held in the country between 8 and September 13.
Marzhikpaev was born in 1969. He has held the post of minister since September 2023. Before that, he worked as the head of the administration of the Akmola region.
In late August, at a meeting with Olympic medalists in Paris, Tokaev said that over the past five years, spending on elite sports in the country has doubled, but there is no adequate return. Kazakhstan was represented at the Olympics by 80 athletes. The national team of the republic won one gold, three silver and three bronze medals, taking 43rd place in the team competition.