Far Kazakhstan welcomed armwrestlers cordially, richly, hospitably, as nice, long expected visitors from all around the world. There was a patronage of the highest authorities of the country, specially delegated by the minister of sport, who watched over everything and tried to make on us (players, coaches, referees and officials) the best possible impression. The organizers, namely all those who worked to prepare the championships in Kazakhstan achieve a great applause, great thanks, and warm memories.

What we are worried about is the attitude of people from WAF to these prestigious tournaments and actually. The hosts have prepared literally everything, from the hall, specially ordered tables, a starting parade, hospitality, food, and beautiful medals for the best. And that’s not all! There were dozens of volunteers, ready to work, when they would have been told what to do.

The agreement was such that Kazakhstan gives what they can and the most important is that they cover all the costs of competitions, including the limousines for the carriage of the WAF representatives. Whereas from them we expected only an EFFECTIVE COORDINATION of the potential. Unfortunately, again, once again, it turned out that the authorities treat the competition as a Worldwide trip for their pleasure and none of them eager to work.

The effect, that I did personally experienced, on the first day there was no anthem played for the gold medalists. I have been waiting for eleven years, to finally hear the national anthem Mazurek Dabrowskiego and look at red and white flag ascending at the mast. But it did not happen! I received the medal on the first (actually second) day after midnight, when everyone thought of going to bed only.

It's not the end of problems! There were several tables available - special, beautiful, with a Kazakhstan flag printed on them (produced by MAZURENKO EQUIPMENT), but ... Many of them were empty! Among a large group of referees (almost fifty) hardly none of them knew what to do at the moment, where to referee. Only few of them were working while the rest were picking their noses. full of fervor, at most she could dig in his nose. There were no start lists, and if appeared, they were full of errors and inaccuracies. Resigned and confused players questioned each other who with and where to fight.

From the perspective of my organizational experience I tell you that if anyone had tried to embrace the whole available potential it would have been a top amateur competitions in the history of our sport. But ‘thanks’ to the attitude of the WAF activists, it was, as it was.

Hospitality of the hosts showed up in full at a wonderful reception given for the birthday of the President of the Kazakh Federation. All representatives of the participating countries were invited, not only drinks and food were assured, but also a great fun in an elegant restaurant.

Here I must mention, with pride, a Polish accent of these championships. There were actually a few of them. Of course, our tables, ordered particularly for the event, in the national colours. I already testifies how seriously, disregard the cost, the hosts took their duties. The second issue is, as you’ve probably guessed, a reference to this year's Professionals’ World Cup.
You surely remember, that the representation of Kazakhstan was supported from the stands by a high official of their embassy in Poland. It was not a coincidence!

During a ceremonial supper and the opening of the event, the hosts thanked the Poles for the World Cup. More specifically, for the organizational guidelines, which they gained during their stay in Poland, and for that thanks to NEMIROFF WORLD CUP Kazakhstan national team could show its strengths to the entire world of sport. Unforgettable battles of Dmitri Trubin, Kazakhs’ team success were an additional stimulus for armwrestling in this beautiful country. A successful start at the World Cup, of both the team and above mentioned Trubin and the Polish tables are our undeniable contribution to regard the Kazakh championships as a successful work of the hosts.

And so the hosts deserve thanks. However, what to do in order to not allow such a situation to take place again, not to waste the potential supplied by the organizers no matter what are the energy supplies and outlays. This is a subject of another deliberation, it may be far too soon for such conclusions. But these questions are worth asking now! Cause it’s a pity, just a pity to waste such opportunities.

I personally, as an organizer, who knows probably every aspect of the work on such an event, especially regret that a situation was not used, that involvement of Kazakh Ministry of Sport and even the Prime Minister was not appreciated, and how the WAF treated it.

Igor Mazurenko