Congratulations of the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee on the 80th anniversary of the Belarusian Physical Culture and Sports Trade Union Society

Dear coaches and student-athletes

of the region's trade union sports schools!

I sincerely congratulate you on the 80th anniversary of the Belarusian Physical Culture and Sports Union of Trade Unions!

The development of children's and youth sports and the training of sports reserves for national teams is a priority of state policy. In 13 trade union schools, 5.7 thousand children and adolescents from the Vitebsk region are involved in 21 sports. The most popular are football, athletics, biathlon, cross-country skiing, and martial arts.

The Vitebsk Regional Sports Club of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus contributes to the tally of victories in international competitions. In 2014-2015, your trainees won 66 medals.

Trade union sports schools in the Vitebsk region have trained many famous champions. Among them are Igor Kanygin, Honored Master of Sports in Greco-Roman wrestling, two-time World Champion, World Cup winner, four-time European Champion, silver medalist of the XXII Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980; Svetlana Paramygina, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR in biathlon, three-time World Champion, European Champion, silver medalist of the XVII Olympic Games in Lillehammer in 1994; Igor Zhelezovsky, Honored Coach of the Republic of Belarus in speed skating, silver medalist of the XVII Olympic Games in Lillehammer in 1994, five-time World Champion, two-time World Cup winner.

To support promising children and adolescents, the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus established 26 named scholarships for students in 2006. The Vitebsk Regional Association organized the payment of 23 scholarships to promising young athletes. Experienced coaches find talented youth in villages, in remote areas, and invest their strength and energy in their training.

Dear friends! I wish you health, happiness, vigor, good luck, success, and victories in sports arenas.

Sincerely,

                                                                                                      N.N. Sherstnev,
                                                                                                      Chairman
                                                                                                      of the Vitebsk Regional
                                                                                                      Executive Committee