ALMATY, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- Currently there are 19 foreign coaches working in Kazakhstan to help develop the country's level of competitiveness in summer sports, a senior official revealed here on Friday.

Yelsiyar Kanagatov, the chairman of the Committee of Physical Culture and Sports of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan, said during an extended session of the ministry board that such practice will continue in the future.

"At present 19 foreign coaches are involved in 13 different summer sports. This is a world's practice and we should continue inviting foreign experts at the regional level," said Kanagatov, adding that the regional offices for Culture and Sport should attract qualified coaching staff, especially when it comes to the medal sports such as athletics and swimming.

According to Kanagatov, people in Kazakhstan are more into combat sports, such as wrestling. But there is an obvious shortage of high-level coaches as well as modern training methods although the country has attracted foreign coaches specializing in the Greco-Roman wrestling.