Marat Akhmetov: "The 'Smart Games' project helps preserve traditions and instill culture from an early age."

      Today, the third republican championship in children's board games "Aqylly uennar" ("Smart Games") took place at the IT Park named after Bashir Rameev. It was attended by 350 preschoolers from kindergartens across the republic, along with their teachers and parents. At the opening ceremony, the acting Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, Marat Akhmetov, welcomed the participants on behalf of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov. Marat Akhmetov expressed gratitude to the parents of the children participating in the championship for their careful attitude towards their native language and the preservation of national traditions that they pass on to their children. "I am confident that the children participating in this project will cherish their native language and convey its value to those around them," noted Marat Akhmetov. The acting Chairman of the State Council thanked the project developers—the team of the "Bala-City" network of kindergartens and schools and its leader, Albina Nasyrova—for the idea of creating a program that is used by preschool educators in the republic. "In the fall, three more sets of board games will be added to the existing ones, and we will definitely help implement them," emphasized Marat Akhmetov. "Aqylly uennar" is an authorial educational program for kindergartens and primary school students. It teaches the native language through play, combining traditional board games with modern EdTech technologies. The project includes 10 developmental board games, ready-made lesson scenarios, a progress assessment system with a mobile application, and a methodology for conducting tournaments. Today, 150 kindergartens in Tatarstan are working under the "Aqylly uennar" program. The project is implemented by the "Bala-City" network of international multilingual kindergartens with the support of the Commission under the President of the Republic of Tatarstan for the preservation and development of the Tatar language and the native languages of the peoples living in the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan. Children master these games over the course of a year. After internal competitions, kindergartens identify the most successful preschoolers, who then participate in the republican championship. This year, the festival is dedicated to the anniversary of the great Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay. "In childhood, a fundamental attitude towards culture and the native language is formed. It is through play-based education that children reveal their potential," noted Marat Akhmetov in a conversation with journalists from republican media. "It is important that both thinking and physical activity are involved in the process of play. Such projects help us preserve traditions and culture from an early age."

      Before the championship opened, Marat Akhmetov visited the exhibition of board games from the "Aqylly uennar" project and interacted with the participants of the championship and their teachers. The event was also attended by the Minister of Education and Science, Ildus Khadiullin. The honorary guest was the chairwoman of the Council of Women Entrepreneurs of the UAE, Mrs. Aisha Mohammed Al Mualla.

      More news about the event:

      A championship in children's board games with the participation of 350 preschoolers took place in Kazan. The third republican championship in children's board games "Aqylly uennar" ("Smart Games") was held at the IT Park named after Bashir Rameev, reported the press service of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan. 16:05 16.05.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      Marat Akhmetov: "The 'Aqylly uennar' project helps preserve traditions and instill culture from an early age." Today, the third republican championship in children's board games "Aqylly uennar" ("Smart Games") took place at the IT Park named after Bashir Rameev. 15:22 16.05.2026 State Council - Kazan