Interview with the Head of the Regional Sports Department Vasily Zakharevich: conditions for athlete training and sports popularization
— Our material and technical base for physical culture and sports is dynamically developing. For example, last year, a football field with a turf lawn at the Central Sports Complex of FC "Vitebsk", and fitness and wellness complexes with swimming pools "Impulse" in Verkhnedvinsk and Liozno were commissioned. In 2019, a specialized trampoline center in Vitebsk, an indoor ice training ground in Novopolotsk, and a football field with artificial turf in Ushachi were opened.
The emergence of new and modernization of old infrastructure facilities, as well as the acquisition of modern inventory and equipment, have created optimal conditions for the training of sports reserves and high-class athletes. This is evident from the results achieved at official international competitions: in 2018, 154 medals were won, including 80 gold medals. For example, Irina Krivko, a native of Senno, became the champion of the Winter Olympic Games in Korea as part of the women's biathlon relay team, Svetlana Sakhanenko, a skier from Novopolotsk, climbed to the top of the podium three times at the Paralympics, and Artem Kolosov, a judoka from the Novopolotsk Olympic Reserve School, won twice at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Argentina. This year, the region already has 12 awards.
— Vasily Alekseevich, how is mass sports developing?
The popularity of physical culture among the population is constantly growing, new grounds and complexes are appearing, allowing local residents to spend their free time in an interesting and healthy way. Organized physical culture and amateur sports groups are attended by over 278 thousand residents of the Vitebsk region, or about a quarter of the total number. Inter-industry year-round and inter-industry trade union sports games, regional sports festivals, in particular, the "Rural Games" among rural residents, are held. The total number of annual physical culture and health-improving and sports and mass events in the first quarter of 2019 exceeded 1 thousand.
— What is there for schoolchildren?
Holding various extracurricular events with students is an integral part of the educational process. Spartakiads, competitions, contests, health days, and hiking trips are held, involving up to 80% of students. In addition, about 1.9 thousand sports clubs operate in schools, with about 30 thousand children participating.
— What do you wish your colleagues on their professional holiday?
— This day unites everyone who, regardless of their profession and age, loves an active lifestyle. Special words of gratitude are due to the veterans of the industry — people who have nurtured a galaxy of great athletes. I wish them good health, optimism, kindness, and well-being!
The talented youth, who proudly carry the banner of Belarusian sports, show world-class results, and glorify our country and the Vitebsk region, have come to replace the older generation. I would also like to acknowledge those who work with young people and develop elite sports.
Congratulations to all industry workers on their professional holiday. I wish you good health, inexhaustible energy, and a cheerful spirit!