Today, the republican tournament "Cup of the President of the Tatarstan Volleyball Federation in Sitting Volleyball" among participants and veterans of the special military operation started at Sports School No. 11. The opening was attended by the Honorary Chairman of the State Council of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin and the Mayor of the city Nail Magdeev.
The Mayor of the city Nail Magdeev addressed the participants and guests with a welcoming speech:
"You are true heroes. At the call of the Fatherland, with weapons in your hands, you defend the interests of our multinational state there, at the front. Today, here on the sports ground, you continue to be an example for your colleagues, fellow soldiers and our youth – an example of what patriots one should be. On behalf of all residents of our city, I want to express sincere gratitude to your parents, mothers, relatives and close ones for raising you as true patriots. May the Almighty grant you strength and patience! You must know and remember: we are always by your side, we have provided and will continue to provide every possible help and support
We see how actively veterans of the special military operation participate in the life of Naberezhnye Chelny today: in the economic, socio-cultural, and sports spheres – today's event is vivid proof of that. This is very important to us. It is a great joy for us to see how SMO participants successfully integrate into peaceful life."
Separately, the Mayor noted the work of the Association "City Council of SMO Veterans" headed by Colonel and City Council deputy Shamil Ayupov. The organization actively helps fighters participate in the sports and public life of the city.
As Farid Mukhametshin said, the idea of organizing the tournament arose after communicating with SMO participants: "The guys then said: 'Come up with something so that we can get together, come from different cities and meet those with whom we fought shoulder to shoulder at the front line. For us it would be a real holiday!' Sport is the best opportunity for such a meeting. We unanimously supported this idea."
Four teams participate in the tournament: "Phoenix" (Naberezhnye Chelny and Tukayevsky district), "Alga" (Kazan, Pestretsy, Verkhny Uslon), "Zaryad" (Almetyevsk, Bavly, Bugulma), "Northern Front" (Arsk, Baltasi, Vysokaya Gora).
The winners and prize-winners of the tournament will be awarded cups, medals and certificates. The best players of the teams and prize-winners of the tournament will receive memorable gifts. The teams will also receive certificates for the purchase of volleyball equipment.
Holding such competitions directly resonates with the goals of the national project "Long and Active Life", which is aimed at strengthening health, improving the quality of life and active social integration of citizens. Sports rehabilitation plays a key role in the successful return of veterans to peaceful life, helping them maintain physical activity and remain in-demand members of society.
Let us recall that sitting volleyball is a type of volleyball for athletes with musculoskeletal disorders, a Paralympic sport. Naberezhnye Chelny has its own team – "Phoenix". The team trains three times a week at Sports School No. 11. The first sessions began in April of this year, and in May the city's national team, which it was decided to call "Phoenix", went to competitions in Kazan, where it took second place among six teams. As a result, several people joined the national team of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Earlier, the "Lion's Heart" Foundation for Support of Disabled Athletes presented volleyball uniforms to SMO participants on the Day of Combat Veterans.