(22 January 2026 | Source: Press Service of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan)
The Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sport of the Karaganda Region, Serik Sapiev, and his Deputy, Dauren Yesimkhanov, have been relieved of their posts at their own request.
After leaving his regional post, Serik Sapiev has been appointed as an external advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He will coordinate the sports section of the headquarters preparing for the Summer 20th Asian Games.
SERIK SAPIEV'S NEW ROLE
The Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported that the appointment is related to the rotation system provided for by the new version of the Law "On Physical Culture and Sport", which came into force last year. In his new role, Sapiev will be involved in preparing the national team for the Summer 20th Asian Games.
THE ESSENCE OF THE CONFLICT
Earlier, a conflict occurred at the Department of Physical Culture and Sport of the Karaganda Region between the head of the department, Serik Sapiev, and his deputy, Dauren Yesimkhanov. Following an internal investigation, it was established that the incident was not only verbal but also physical in nature.
A clip of the conflict involving Sapiev and Yesimkhanov was published in the public domain, after which the situation gained public attention and became the subject of investigations by state bodies.
SAPIEV'S STATEMENT
After the incident, Serik Sapiev stated that what happened was not a personal or domestic conflict. According to him, the situation was related to attempts to make personnel decisions without his knowledge, and he viewed what occurred as resistance to systemic reforms in the field of sport.
RESPONSE OF STATE BODIES
The Department of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan conducted an internal investigation. Based on its findings, responsibility for violating norms of official ethics was placed on Serik Sapiev. The conclusion points to signs of inappropriate behaviour and violations of certain norms of the Code of Ethics for Civil Servants of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
It was reported that the materials of the internal investigation were submitted for consideration by the Ethics Council. Specific disciplinary measures were not outlined in the document.