Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, May 2, 2021: The National Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan President Timur Kulibayev reinforced the NOC’s commitment to promoting gender equality in sport during its online extraordinary General Assembly last week.
During the General Assembly, Umut Shayakhmetova became the first ever female Vice President of the NOC being elected unopposed to the position until 2024. The position had been held previously by Andrey Kryukov, who was elected as Secretary General in December 2020.
President Kulibayev noted that the election was an important step towards gender equality: “The General Assembly made a very important and significant choice, having approved Umut Shayakhmetova for one of the leadership positions. Inclusion, solidarity, diversity and gender equality are the main ‘humanitarian’ priorities of the development of the Olympic Movement.
“To date, the number of female athletes on our national teams in Olympic sports is 46 percent. Female employees represent 59 percent of the NOC administration, including the overwhelming majority in leadership positions,” President Kulibayev pointed out.
“The IOC and President Thomas Bach reiterates their commitment to gender equality in all areas, from the athletes competing on and off the field of play to leadership roles in sports organisations. We will continue promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women in and through sport,” Kulibayev added.
Newly appointed Umut Shayakhmetova has been actively working on the development of sports in Kazakhstan as a member of the NOC executive committee for more than five years. She is also the President of the Kazakhstan Gymnastics Federation, a position she has held since 2011.
She has succeeded in the corporate world, too, as an economist who has successfully led the banking and financial areas over the last 20 years, and has received numerous awards, both governmental and international.