RT First Vice Premier Boris Pavlov welcomed participants of the first cup “Challenge 2” in field hockey

On June, 21 RT First Deputy Prime Minister, President of Tatarstan field hockey federation Boris Pavlov took part in a solemn ceremony of the first Cup “Challenge 2” in field hockey. The tournament started in the Centre of field hockey in Kazan.

RT Minister of Youth, Sport and Tourism Marat Bariev, President of field hockey federation of Russia Sergey Chechenkov, representative of International field hockey federation Kler Peters-Monsie and other organizers, participants and guests of competitions took part in the event.

On behalf of Tatarstan government and organizing committee Boris Pavlov welcomed the participants and guests of the first Cup “Challenge 2” in field hockey of women’s teams. He stressed that people at all continents of the Earth play field hockey. “Beauty, refinement and nobility of this kind of sport unite. Today we open the tournament, in which 8 strong teams from Belgium, Ireland, Belarus, Malaysia, India, Ukraine, Canada and Russia will take part in the event. We are glad that participants and guests could see the national holiday “Sabantui”, which symbolizes national individuality and spirituality of Tatar people, reflects hospitality, cheerfulness and optimism of the Tatars”, - Boris Pavlov said.

“We are proud of that fact that Kazan gained a splendid victory for holding World summer Universiade-2013. Selection of Kazan as the capital of Universiade-2013 is recognition of merits of Russian Olympic movement and development of mass sport in the country and international prestige of Russia”, - RT First Vice Premier said.

Boris Pavlov also noted that nowadays Kazan is the centre of field hockey development in Russia. Victories of “Dinamo-Kazan” masters which 6 times became champions of Russia, successes of youth teams prove this fact. He added likewise that the mentioned tournament will stimulate development of children and youth sport in Tatarstan and Russia

Representative of International field hockey federation Kler Peters-Monsie stressed that fine conditions are created in republic for developing and popularizing field hockey. She also thanked Tatarstan government and organizers of the first Cup “Challenge 2” for high level of organization.