Head of Bashkortostan told about mass sports development in our republic

UFA, 28 November 2016. /Bashinform News Agency, Dmitry Slezin/. The Head of Bashkortostan in an interview with the "Sport-Express" federal edition told about the mass sports development in our republic.

"Football, hockey and volleyball are the most popular in Bashkiria in terms of sports clubs number. These sports are the leaders with a solid margin", Rustem Khamitov said. "At the same time we are good and in winter sports too: ski jumping, Nordic combined, alpine skiing, biathlon. The region has multiple national champions and Olympic medalists. There are prominent athletes, and strong wrestlers, boxers. We have many skilled, serious athletes. Short track quickly gained momentum; our Semen Yelistratov is the Sochi Olympic champion. Three medals in fencing at the Olympic Games in Rio deserve a special mention".

"We are among 10-15 leading sports regions. More than ten basic Olympic sports are exercised in the region. Good sports facilities are currently under construction. The next year an Athletics Arena, a 50-m swimming pool will be put into operation. Recently an agreement is signed with a large company on building a large sports complex", the Head of the Republic told about the immediate prospects.

"You know, when of four million people more than a million are engaged in physical culture and sports, these are good figures. But, of course, I would like to see all four million be sports-oriented, and I'll try to lead by example in this regard. Let it be more people jogging or Nordic walking in the mornings in our streets. Although, of course, culture of sports is not yet fully formed in our society", said Rustem Khamitov.