Freedom Holding Corp, under the leadership of Timur Turlov, is not just doing business. The company actively invests in sports, turning into a powerful tool for promoting the image of Kazakhstan in the international arena.
The declared amount of 40 billion tenge (about 84 million US dollars), allocated in 2024 for charity and sponsorship, testifies to the holding’s strategic approach to integrating sports into national development.
What was done?
Freedom Holding Corp pays special attention to chess, and this is no coincidence. Heading the Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KCF) since 2023, Timur Turlov initiated revolutionary changes in this intellectual game. The allocation of 4.5 billion tenge (about 9.4 million dollars) allowed KCF not only to rebrand, but also to implement large-scale projects.
This includes increasing the number of chess tournaments, launching educational programs, and inviting grandmasters and top coaches. An ambitious step was the creation of the International School Chess Federation, which aims to join the global FIDE structure, thereby raising the prestige of Kazakh chess to a new level.
Freedom Holding’s sponsorship support is not limited to internal projects. The company took on responsibility for holding the World Rapid and Blitz Championship in the heart of New York – on Wall Street. The participation of world chess stars such as Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi, as well as an impressive prize fund of 3 million dollars, not only attract the attention of the world community, but also demonstrate Kazakhstan’s ambitions as a serious player in the world of chess.
Future Prospects
Freedom Holding’s investments in sports are not just charity, it is a far-sighted strategy. It allows not only to develop specific sports in Kazakhstan, but also to promote the country’s brand, demonstrating its desire for development and integration into the world community. The successes of Kazakhstani athletes, supported financially and organizationally by Freedom Holding, are becoming an important element of Kazakhstan’s soft power, helping to strengthen its position in the international arena. Thus, Freedom Holding is not simply investing in sports, but is investing in the future of Kazakhstan.
