One of the facilities of the Volga Region University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism - the Aquatics Palace - hosted the opening ceremony of the II stage of the "Friendship Games" international competition. It kicked off with the Tatarstan President's Cup diving tournament, where a total of 77 athletes from Russia, Belarus and Serbia and 29 coaches will take part. Over 1,000 athletes from 23 countries and 60 regions of Russia are expected to take part in the 2nd stage of the "Friendship Games".
President of the Russian Diving Federation Stanislav Druzhinin, First Deputy Minister of Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan Khalil Shaikhutdinov and President of the Diving Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan Efim Klimov addressed the participants of the Friendship Games with a welcoming speech at the opening ceremony.
"I'm glad to welcome you on behalf of the Republic of Tatarstan to the Friendship Games international competition. I'm glad that the strongest diving juniors have come to Kazan. I hope that they will showcase spectacular jumps, and this start will be an important one in their careers. May new stars shine, may this tournament give an impetus to the development of diving in Tatarstan. And may the strongest win," said Khalil Shaikhutdinov.
"This is the fifth, anniversary edition of the Tatarstan President's Cup, and each time it is held at a high organisational level. We wish the participants victory, strength and energy to achieve high results and new records," said Efim Klimov.
"Traditionally, it is Kazan and Tatarstan that is one of the most progressive and developing regions for diving. It is very important that the competitions are held here at a very high level, for which many thanks must go to President Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov, Minister of Sport of Tatarstan Vladimir Alexandrovich Leonov and President of the Tatarstan Diving Federation Efim Klimov, head of the wonderful Centre for Water Sports Albert Shamilievich Bagautdinov. It is very important that the youth of our country will once again get a taste of victories, gain experience, and then represent our country at other international competitions. I declare the Cup of the President of Tatarstan in diving open! - declared Stanislav Druzhinin.
"The Friendship Games" is an international swimming, synchronised swimming and diving competition held in Kazan from July to December 2022.
The "World" I stage of the "Friendship Games" was successfully held from July 19 to August 3. There were 984 athletes and 237 team representatives from 16 countries competing and 376 sets of medals were awarded.
