Sergei Shakhrai: Tatarstan became leader of country in large-scale participation of badminton, children’s badminton
Today President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhamov, Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Vitaly Mutko and President of FISU Claude-Louis Gallien visited the Tennis Academy in Kazan where the competitions in badminton are held.
In particular, Russian badminton players Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov performed in men’s final. Their rivals were the duet from South Korea – Ko Sun Khyunu and Li En De. The match was concluded with the victory of South Koreans with the score 2-1 (13:21, 21:13, 21:13).
Deputy Head of the Accounts Chamber of RF, President of the National Federation of Badminton Sergei Shakhrai commented the proceeding of the tournament before the final match started.
He remarked that the tournament managed to be representative as for team staff. Он отметил, что турнир получился очень представительным по составу. Athletes from South Korea and China set the pace. Nevertheless Russians who were competing for the whole Europe honor performed successfully and took bronze (now there is also the silver in the collection of Russians).
Shakhrai said: “This tournament is important for us also as the next year on April there will be held the championship of Europe in badminton in Kazan. Here we perfected logistics, organisation and got the highest points.”
“One more important moment: training seminar for judges took place in Kazan. Now in Russia we have 24 judges certified by the World Federation. We are able to provide any tournament with our judges’ staff. If country-organiser doesn’t have judges it is fined as the one which wasn’t able to provide conditions.”
He noticed that in recent years Tatrstan became the leader of Russia in badminton development. Shakhrai informed that together with President of the World Badminton Federation Poul-Erik Høyer they visited Alekseevsky and Sabinsky districts of the Republic and observed the conditions for this kind of sport in schools.
“Tatrstan became the leader of the country in the large-scale participation in badminton and children’s badminton. I am sure future Olympics champions and winners of the Universiade will grow here,” President of National Federation of Badminton stated.