“Sport – A Factor of Sustainable Partnership Between Russia and the Islamic World”

Organizing partners: Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation

Venue: Hall 16, International Exhibition Centre Kazan Expo, Kazan

Moderator: Olga Vasyukova, Honoured Master of Sport of Russia, Olympic Champion, TV presenter of Match TV

Speakers:

Oleg Matytsin, Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation;

Adham Ikramov, Minister of Youth Policy and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

Shamil Tarpishchev, President of the Russian Tennis Federation, Member of the International Olympic Committee;

Stanislav Pozdnyakov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee;

Moussa Ag Attaye, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Mali responsible for civic education and building civic awareness;

Marat Bariev, Deputy of the State Duma, Chairman of the Olympic Council of the Republic of Tatarstan;

Alexander Chernov, General Director of the Universiade 2023 Executive Directorate;

Sina Kalhor, Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of the Republic of Iran;

Mansur Usmanov, Executive Director of Ak Bars HC;

Vadim Yangirov, Director of the Kazan Marathon Events Centre.

Description:

The event involved discussion of the potential for expanding sports cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries, holding joint sports events, increasing cooperation in the form of sports exchanges, new opportunities for cooperation between sports entities in the spheres of import substitution and investment development.

Oleg Matytsin in his opening statement to the “Sports” section mentioned the continued interest in cooperation between countries and dialogue with international organizations. “The time of sanctions is the time of opportunities,” the Minister said.

The development of cooperation in the spheres of physical culture and sports between the Russian Federation and the OIC member states opens up great prospects for a mutually beneficial and non-discriminatory partnership. Russia and the OIC countries have opportunities to combine efforts in creating a sporting environment with a benevolent and friendly atmosphere, free from discrimination on political and religious grounds.

The speakers came forward with proposals for the establishment of sports committees and working groups to unveil new sporting horizons for Russia and the OIC countries and assist in building relations on an equal and non-discriminatory basis.