Evgeniy Yarovenko Spoke to Students of the Republican Physics and Mathematics School

It should be noted that Evgeniy Viktorovich is the only Olympic football champion in Kazakhstan’s history. A native of Karatau, he was a key player of the USSR national team at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, where the team defeated the renowned Brazilian side in the final. In 2004, he was named the most outstanding Kazakhstani footballer since the foundation of UEFA.

The meeting took place in the school’s assembly hall. Yarovenko spoke about the formation of his career – from backyard football to the Olympic podium. He shared his experience with the students and gave advice on what it takes to achieve one’s goals.

Special attention was also given to the development and achievements of Freedom QJ League, as well as to the historic victory of Kazakh figure skater Mikhail Shaidorov at the ongoing Winter Games in Italy.

At the end of the meeting, the Olympic champion thoroughly answered questions from the students and the moderator and held an autograph session for everyone interested.

“I would like to thank my friend Aibek Aidarkhanov for the invitation. The atmosphere was very positive, with students from first to tenth grade present.

Everyone has their own dream and goals. I explained that it is important to practice sports and work very hard – whether it is wrestling, boxing, gymnastics, or football. And, of course, not to forget about education. Sport is a healthy lifestyle, which means the health of the nation.

I also spoke about our League – what it represents and how we organize junior championships that, in essence, have no equal in Europe in terms of format. I mentioned Rokhus Shokh, Timur Turlov, and our united team, so that children know about it firsthand.

There were questions about the 1988 Olympic final – how we managed to defeat the Brazilians. I said it was a huge responsibility, because behind us stood our entire Motherland, all of Kazakhstan, the fans, coaches, friends, and families.

The gold medal is not only my achievement; it belongs to the entire Kazakh people – to all the supporters and everyone I studied and lived with. This medal will forever remain in the history of Kazakhstani sport.

God willing, one of these children will also become an Olympic champion,” Evgeniy Viktorovich wished.