For the first time in history, Kazakhstan and Central Asia have been named the host of the 2012 Super Final of the FINA Men´s World League on June 12-17 2012. Kazakhstan has worked to grow international reputation and tourism over the past few years, using their many successful international athletes to support large athletic events, among them, the 2011 Asian Games, the 2017 Winter World University Games and coming up this summer, the World League Superfinal.
Water Polo Planet and ProAnox Performance Systems of Los Gatos, CA will be attending and sponsoring the event and were in Almaty this month to preview the venue, people and organizers. We thought we would bring you a preview of a corner of the world that few have ever visited, share our impressions and give you a bit of Kazakhstan’s history.
In a nutshell, Almaty, Kazakhstan is one of the most beautiful cities we have visited and should definitely go on your “Top 10 Places to Visit” list. The Superfinal is a great opportunity to check it out and see some great water polo at the same time. If that is not enough to lure you to this little corner of heaven, my husband the scientist made it very clear (on FAR too many occasions) that it has been clinically proven that Kazakhstan has a higher percentage of beautiful women than any other country in the world. The clinical trials on his part involved much head turning, jaw dropping and at times (strange to imagine) speechlessness. I would have been content with a smaller sample size, to be perfectly honest.
The six-day Superfinal will be held in Almaty, the largest city in the Kazakhstan, with a population of almost 2 million. Despite losing its status as the nation’s capital to Astana in 1997, Almaty remains the major commercial center of Kazakhstan with the international airport and home to approximately 10% of the nations total population. The city is located in southern Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan. Almaty is a simply gorgeous, modern city in a valley surrounded by the Tian Shan mountain range.
Kazakhstan is ethnically and culturally diverse; in part due to mass deportations of many ethnic groups to the country by Josef Stalin's ethnic and dissident purges Russia (it was not just Siberia that received deportations). As a result of Joes relocation program, the country now includes 131 ethnicities including Kazakh, Russian, Uyghur, Ukrainian, Uzbek, Tatar, and German. 63% percent of the population is Kazakh. The Kazakh language is the state language, with Russian also officially used as an equal language to Kazakh in Kazakhstan's public institutions and businesses. The Republic of Kazakhstan is large- it is the ninth largest country in the world geographically as well as the world's largest landlocked country.
The city of Almaty is modern and comfortable with all of the modern conveniences (we) spoiled westerners need- great hotels, internet, shopping, night clubs, spas and restaurants. The mountains are very close- a mere 30 minute drive puts you at the peak of a modern ski resort and skating arena purpose built for the 2011 Asian games. The mountains are stunning- the outdoor ice rink and ski trails are perched on the side of the mountain giving breathtaking views of the city.
The lift tickets for the world class ski facility are $2.00 US and the very good Kazakh beer $.25…hard to lose in this country no matter what the state of the dollar…and Loren says not to forget the beautiful women.
The Kazaks have been spectacularly successful in international athletic arenas, and sports are an important tradition in the country which is evident in the world class athletic facilities in Almaty. Our meetings with the Almaty organizing committee made it clear that the entire city plans to roll out the red carpet for the Superfinal which will include television coverage and worldwide media coverage.
Rahat Palace Hotel
Our group stayed at the Rahat Palace Hotel in Almaty which is a great 4 star with internet and only a 5 minute walk to the venue, which is a 50 meter outdoor pool covered with a dome in the winter to allow year round use. The pool facility is world class and one that will not disappoint the 8 teams attending the Superfinal.
While navigating Cyrillic menus might be a challenge, the Kazakh people go out of their way to help visitors and make them feel welcome. This is a city that embraces tourists- not as a money grab, but simply to welcome you to their country.
This is a GREAT country-and all of us are eager to return to partake in the fantastic hospitality the country has to offer.
Oh…and Loren says not to forget the beautiful women.
Mountain road to ski resort
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Loren Bertocci and Kazahkstan Water Polo Committee Vice Chair, Alan Balfanbayev
