Astana, Kazakhstan — Global Sports Partners (GSP) and Qazaqstan Flag Football (QFF) recently teamed up to host the Capital Cup, a new flag football tournament held in celebration of Capital Day, the national holiday commemorating Astana’s designation as the capital city of Kazakhstan.
The event brought together 105 participants, including players, coaches, and volunteers, with teams traveling from multiple cities to compete. A total of five men’s teams and three women’s teams competed in the one-day tournament, showcasing the growing enthusiasm for flag football across the country.
“This event was a major success in that it set the bar for high-quality tournaments and events, while also bringing people together to participate in the basic joy of sport.”
While many male athletes came from a tackle football background, the tournament provided an exciting introduction to the dynamic and fast-paced game of flag football. One participating team even announced plans to transition fully to flag, committing to new practice and coaching strategies geared solely toward the non-contact version of the game.
“This was such a pleasant atmosphere — a great time to share with family and children in very friendly conditions. I consider that it is all because of the philosophy of the organizers. I’ve completely fallen in love with flag football!”
- Ivan Savitsky, Head Coach of the Karaganda Hunters
Following the success of the Capital Cup, Qazaqstan Flag Football is now preparing for its next major event: the Alma Cup, an international tournament set to take place in Almaty on August 23–24, 2025. The Alma Cup will expose Kazakhstani teams to international competition and further accelerate the sport’s development nationwide.
Special thanks to Serge Yurovsky and the entire QFF team for their leadership in making these tournaments possible. As a proud partner again in next month’s Alma Cup, Global Sports Partners reaffirms its commitment to supporting the growth of flag football in Kazakhstan and across the region.