Sport federations of Tatarstan need to strengthen preparation of referees – Vladimir Leonov

Tatarstan leads in realization of large sport events. Over 700 sport competitions are carried out in the republic every year. Tatarstan Youth Affairs and Sport Minister Vladimir Leonov announced the information at a working session on 27 February; it was dedicated to work of sport federations in physical culture and sport develop.

Tatarstan Youth Affairs and Sport Deputy Minister Khalil Shaikhutdinov, the director of Sport Training Center Mikhail Smolkin, presidents of Tatarstan sport federations and others took part in the meeting.

Vladimir Leonov reminded that, currently, 135 types of sports and 96 sport federations had developed in Tatarstan.

Reporting a list of candidates to Russian team to participate in the 2015 Olympic Games, he offered the 2015 plan of work to all sport federations.

In particular, sport federations should create websites with full information about their activity, hold contests on increase of trainers’ qualification, master classes and social campaigns with leading athletes of Tatarstan, meetings with young sportsmen, visit of children’s homes and other measures. The minister asked to continue financial stimulating of best trainers, purchase sport equipment for children and youth sport schools, and confirm coaches and the republic’s national teams. 
As the speaker informed, municipal formations had asked to hold children and youth competitions during holidays in order to decrease level of students’ load, rise number of participants and visitors.

According to Vladimir Leonov, one of the important moments in sport federations’ activity is cooperation with All-Russian and international sport federations. He especially noted that preparation of their own referees was necessary to serve competitions.

“Our athletes can not to take sport grades due to lack of corresponding referees. It is the urgent problem to date. Having many teams as well individuals, it is necessary to present our own high qualified referees in Russian, European and world championships,” the minister emphasized.

The speaker informed that 46 million rubles had been allocated from the budget to carry out sport competitions and training measures.

At the end of the meeting, memorable medals of Russian president were awarded for preparation and holding of the 17th World Summer Universiade 2013 in Kazan.