Igor Konovalov, Head of the Department of Theory and Methodology of Volleyball and Basketball at the Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, became a nominee for the National Sports Award 2023 in the category "For Service to Sport".
The selection was conducted in the format of all-Russian contests in nominations in the field of physical culture and sports. Members of the competition commissions reviewed the applications and identified three finalists in each of 18 nominations of 11 All-Russian competitions.
The prize winners will be chosen by an expert council consisting of famous athletes, coaches and public figures. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 30 November in the State Kremlin Palace.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko noted the significance of the award for the domestic sports sphere.
"On the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, we support competitive activity and create new open formats of competitions, including innovative ones. The National Sports Award provides an opportunity to recognise outstanding athletes and coaches, sports professionals, media representatives and even entire regions. All of them are role models for the younger generation, encouraging them to engage in physical culture and sport. This year the competition received more than 480 applications, 54 of which made it to the finals. The expert council should determine the most worthy winners," - said Deputy Prime Minister.
"This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation as a state management body in the field of physical culture and sport. In this landmark year, it is particularly pleasing to honour those who, through their achievements and hard work, have inspired sports and healthy lifestyles. The National Sports Award is an assessment and recognition of merit. It is an incentive for the recipients of the award to move forward, to continue to improve the sport system. We are preparing a bright festive programme dedicated to the jubilee date - it is a common holiday for all representatives of the sports sphere. I hope the gala event will be long remembered by the participants and guests for the soulful atmosphere and unity of our sports community," emphasised Oleg Matytsin, Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation.
"Russia traditionally pays a lot of attention to the development of sports, as evidenced by the victories of our athletes at international championships. Within the framework of the federal project "Sport is a norm of life" of the national project "Demography", infrastructure is being created all over the country, events and master classes are being held, which makes it possible to intensify mass sports work at all levels. The year 2024, declared by the President as the Year of Sport in Russia, will give an additional impetus to the sports movement," added Dmitry Chernyshenko.
