Serik Sapiyev and Deputy Dauren Yesimkhanov Released from Their Positions

The Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Karaganda Region, Serik Sapiyev, and his deputy, Dauren Yesimkhanov, have been released from their positions following their voluntary resignations. This decision follows a scandalous video that recently circulated on social media.

As a reminder, the footage shared online appears to show a man resembling the former head of the East Kazakhstan Region's sports department and Honored Coach,Dauren Yesimkhanov striking Serik Sapiyev. The Olympic champion issued a special statement regarding the incident, asserting that the event was not a personal or domestic conflict.

Initially, there were attempts to downplay the incident as a "conversation between men." For instance, Aidar Makhmetov, advisor to the President of the Asian Judo Union, claimed that "no fight occurred" and described the event as a discussion between old acquaintances. However, the significant public outcry generated by the incident ultimately led to a change in the leadership of the Karaganda Region's sports department.

Notably, both parties involved in the conflict are professional sports figures. Before this, the individual involved in the altercation had served as a seasoned civil servant, heading sports departments in the East Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions.