19 districts of Vitebsk region took part in the regional sports competition "Rural Games – 2017"

It is no coincidence that the sports and recreation camp "Vodnolozhnik" in the picturesque forest on Lake Suya became the venue for the "Rural Games – 2017". The organizers created the necessary conditions here so that the three days spent in nature would be remembered by the participants not only for the intensity of uncompromising struggle and the desire to win, but also for comfortable living in field conditions and interesting leisure activities. Therefore, along with sports competitions, the teams also presented a creative program: a "Business Card" and a competition of field dishes.

The organizers of the Spartakiad – the Department of Sports and Tourism of the Regional Executive Committee, the Polotsk District Executive Committee, and the Vitebsk Regional Educational and Methodological Center for Physical Education of the Population – provided the participants with the necessary living conditions and interesting leisure activities.

– Sport is the most important component of our state's ideology, – said **Vladimir Penin, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, opening the Spartakiad**. – A healthy lifestyle is the foundation of the present and future of Belarusians. Therefore, the authorities are aimed at popularizing it among the population, regardless of age, occupation, and place of residence. Today, on the shore of Lake Suya, people have gathered who ensure the country's food security with their hard work. In a week, civil servants will take part in sports competitions in the Shumilino district. The team of the Regional Executive Committee will be led by Governor Nikolai Sherstnev, who sets a personal example that sports help maintain the physical fitness necessary for a leader in modern life.

The competition on the sports grounds of "Vodnolyzhnik" was truly uncompromising. In mini-football, the team from Sharkovshchyna district became the leader, in table tennis – Tolochin district, in athletics – Glubokoe district, in streetball – Vitebsk district, in kettlebell lifting – Senno district. In volleyball, men's victory was won by athletes from Glubokoe district, women's – by Miory district. In the "Business Card" competition, the team from Rossony district took first place, and in the campfire cooking competition – Braslav district.

The first place in the team event was won by athletes from Verkhnedvinsk district, the second – by Vitebsk district, the third – by Glubokoe district.

Despite the passions and emotions displayed by the participants in the heat of competition, an atmosphere of friendship and support reigned on the sports grounds, confirming the well-known Olympic motto. Participation provides the main thing – health, good mood, and interesting leisure.

Alexander Gvozdov. Photos by Dmitry OSIPOV. "Vitebskiye vesti".