“We achieved the main goal of the Year of Sports and Healthy Lifestyle in Tatarstan”.

The Republic of Tatarstan Minister of Youth, Sport and Tourism Marat Bariev summarized the Year of Sports and Healthy Lifestyle.

Mr Bariev, which event of the Year of Sports and Healthy Lifestyle you think is the central one?
M.B.: Talking about the year results on the whole, I’d like to say that our sportsmen achieved the highest results – a lot of victories both in team and individual sports. Development of sport infrastructure was carried out actively, providing a ground for achieving high results. Last year, the largest sport objects were constructed or are almost completed in Kazan and 12 municipal regions.

We have managed to stir up sport life and physical culture in the republican municipal regions, at enterprises, organizations – this fact is of much importance. Enterprises open sport clubs, construct sport facilities, encourage staff to go in for sports. It is a pleasure to see that this year had effect on lives of every citizen of our republic.

What are the tasks for 2010 and future prospects?
M.B.: Regarding sports, the goal for the nearest future is high-level preparation for the Universiade-2013. Not only in terms of organization, but also training of sportsmen who have potential to join the Russian team at the World Student Games-2013 and demonstrate high results.

Moreover, the permanent tasks are still on the agenda – mass sports, achievements in elite sports. From the point of normative maintenance, the most vital problem is increase of salaries of sport staff – from physical culture school teachers to professional coaches. I hope this problem will be solved at the federation level as a result of the Russian President’s commissions.

Which new objects of the Universiade-2013 are scheduled for putting into operation this year? Is it true that FISU requires completion of the main sport facilities two years before the games?
M.B.: Over 10 facilities will be put into operation in 2010 within the framework of preparing for the Universiade. By the way, talking about the Universiade and results of the past year, I’d like to mention that 47 Tatarstan sportsmen participated in the Winter and Summer Student Games of 2009. 38 of them retuned with medals (14 – gold medals).

FISU requires organization of testing competitions at all objects of the Universiade. It doesn’t matter if they have been put into operation 2 or 5 years before the games. We must organize testing competitions in all 26 sports of the Universiade-2013 programme until July 2012.

Organization of European Universiades was announced recently…
M.B.: 6 cities, including Kazan, have already submitted application for bidding the European Universiade-2012. Other countries willing to host the competitions are Spain, Poland, Portugal and others. The European Universiade will be held in 9 sports including those from the sport programme of Kazan Student Games.

The decision on the capital of the First European Student Games will be made at the meeting of EUSA (the European University Sports Association) executive committee in the second quarter of 2010. Organization of the European Universiade-2012 will give Kazan an opportunity to check readiness for the World Student Games of 2013.

How do you assess the level of the First All-Russia Sport Forum “Russia – the Country of Sports” in Kazan?
M.B.: The fact that the first forum was held in Kazan demonstrates recognition of Tatarstan capital in the sports field. By the way, the contest “Russia’s Golden Team” results proved it, as Kazan was named Russia’s sports capital.

We took a considerable responsibility when we organized the first forum – there was not enough time for preparation. The tasks though were ambitious – to make the sports forum one of the world’s major grounds where sports problems can be discussed. We managed to hold the forum at a good level. Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev distinguished some of the organizers in the end. Tatarstan Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov received a gratifying letter from the Russian President. Head of Tatarstan Cabinet of Ministers apparatus Shamil Gafarov, RT Minister of Youth, Sport and Tourism and other officials were also awarded.

Let’s switch to the topic of youth policy. Which projects can we be proud of? What wasn’t realized in 2009?
M.B.: One of the major projects on youth policy is construction of housing for young families. Tatarstan fulfilled all the obligations announced at the beginning of the year. We are on the second place among the Russian Federation subjects, which received funds for the programme realization. The financing volumes for this year will remain at the same level. About 600 more young families will receive housing on preferential terms.

Programmes of support for talented youth are actively developed in the republic at present. Tatarstan President’s scholarships, grants and awards to young scientists and scholars are available; the programme “Algarysh” on training and retraining at leading scientific and educational centres of Russia and foreign countries are realized; the festival “Sozvezdiey - Constellation” is organized.

Another achievement is support of youth student organizations. Children and youth organizations have a great potential. We manage to carry our many projects thanks to their creativity, energy, and enthusiasm.

By Kristina Ivanova