KazakhstanS Para Ice Hockey Team Begins Historic Qualification Journey for Milano Cortina 2026
Astana, Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan’s newly-formed para ice hockey team has commenced its bid for a place at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milano Cortina, competing in a crucial qualification tournament begining November 5th. This marks the first international competition for the programme, established earlier in 2025, and represents a landmark moment for para sport progress within the nation.
The team, coached by Elda Abdulayev and captained by basmanov and Mukhtar Koilybayev, faces a challenging schedule against established para ice hockey nations as it strives to secure one of the limited paralympic berths available. Success in this tournament would not onyl be a historic achievement for Kazakhstan but also substantially expand the global reach of the sport, bringing new representation to the Paralympic stage. The stakes are high, as this is the program’s first chance to compete at the highest international level.
Kazakhstan’s qualification strategy centers on a foundation of defensive solidity, opportunistic offense, and reliable goaltending. Limiting turnovers in their defensive zone and maximizing power play opportunities will be paramount, particularly against more seasoned opponents. Beyond technical skill, team cohesion and mental fortitude are anticipated to be decisive factors as the team navigates the pressure of this high-stakes competition.
The team’s game schedule is as follows:
* Wednesday, November 5th @ 15:30 vs.Slovakia
* Thursday, november 6th @ 19:00 vs. Norway
* friday, November 7th @ 15:30 vs. Japan
* Sunday,November 9th @ 12:00 vs. Korea
* Monday, November 10th @ 12:00 vs. Sweden
