A coach from Shymkent, Khamit Myrzabekov, has been disqualified for two years following an incident involving an underage volleyball player in Pavlodar. He used physical force against the athlete during a match. The police have launched a pre-trial investigation.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE TOURNAMENT
According to the Kazakhstan National Volleyball Federation (KNVF), the incident occurred on 26 October 2026 during the Republic of Kazakhstan Volleyball Championship among private clubs in Pavlodar.
According to the federation, the coach of the Shymkent volleyball academy, Khamit Myrzabekov, used physical force against a player on his team. A video had previously circulated on social media in which the man struck the athlete on the head with his hand.
The competition was organised by the private volleyball league MYQTYLARORTASY, which is not part of the KNVF structure. The tournament was held outside the federation's organisational structure.
HOW THE COACH AND ORGANISERS WERE PUNISHED
The KNVF Disciplinary Committee reviewed what happened and decided to disqualify Khamit Myrzabekov for two years.
During this period he is banned from coaching and teaching activities, as well as from participating in any capacity in competitions under the auspices of the federation.
The tournament organisers were reprimanded and fined for inadequate supervision of the competition. The amount of the fine was not specified. The Shymkent volleyball academy also received a reprimand.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION
Earlier, KazTAG, citing the Pavlodar Region Police Department, reported the launch of a pre-trial investigation into the use of physical force against an underage athlete.
Police identified all those involved in the incident and brought them to the police station. The article of the Criminal Code under which the investigation is being conducted has not yet been specified.
HOW THE FEDERATION RESPONDED
The KNVF condemned the use of violence in sport and said it is providing support to the affected athlete and her family.
The federation also plans to hold mandatory seminars for club coaches and representatives of regional federations on sports ethics, violence prevention and the protection of athletes' rights.
