Haileybury Almaty are will fly the flag for Kazakhstan when they join schools from across the globe at the inaugural World School Games event in Dubai in February.
The event will see primary schools from Asia, Africa and Europe take part in swimming, athletics and football competitions over three days in the United Arab Emirates.
Stephanie Jones, Head Coach of the Haileybury team, is looking forward to taking the group of talented young sportspeople to the UAE to compete.
“The students and staff of Haileybury Almaty are excited to travel to Dubai to represent our school at this prestigious event. For some of our students this will be their first opportunity to represent Haileybury Almaty and their first time at an international sporting event.”
Jones is very keen to ensure her students make the most of their time in Dubai, and she emphasised the wider developmental aspects of the Games – with the chance to meet students from different cultural and educational backgrounds as a huge positive to the event.
“Attending and participating in these events provides our students with the opportunity to meet students from different schools; enhancing their social and personal skills, whilst demonstrating resilience and courage when participating in a range of different sporting events,” she said.
Jones continued: “The Haileybury Almaty PE Department is incredibly passionate about the importance of participating in sporting events such as the World School Games, as it showcases the hard work of our students, who are committed and dedicated to being the best they can be. We support their efforts and encourage them to try their best, no matter what the outcome.”
For Aisulu Tusenova, Haileybury Almaty’s girls team captain, the trip to Dubai will be the second time she has travelled to compete for the school. Tusenova is looking forward to her time in the UAE and is positive about her team’s chances in the football competition.
“I am really excited to represent Haileybury Almaty in Dubai. I am looking forward to playing in the football competition, because I think that if I motivate the girls and encourage them to focus we can score a lot of goals.”
Alan Mussayev is the captain of the boys’ team. Mussayev is hopeful that his team will compete at a high level through the competition, while demonstrating good sportsmanship throughout: “I want Haileybury Almaty to show good teamwork, a positive attitude and respect for our opposition.”
To stay up to date with Haileybury Almaty’s progress at the World School Games in Dubai, 7th – 10th February 2018, stay tuned to the Gulf Youth Sport website and social media channels throughout the Games.