A town-ball court has been opened in Vitebsk

The presentation of the gorodki (Russian skittles) court took place during the celebration of Sportsman's Day at Vitebsk Children and Youth Sports School No. 4.

This sports school offers departments for basketball, volleyball, handball, big and small tennis, as well as chess and checkers. As for gorodki, according to the director of CYSS No. 4 Viktor Strizhak, they will be promoted on a voluntary basis for now:

— As a student, I played for the Gomel region team in gorodki and became a silver medalist of the republican championship. Therefore, on the one hand, I wanted to recall my youth. On the other hand, we must provide the widest possible range of services to the public. Gorodki do not require large expenses and can interest young people and older generations.

Viktor Strizhak said that the most difficult thing was to find thick sheet metal for the base of the court. Amateur bats and wooden cylinders, from which figures are formed for knocking down, were purchased at a sports store. However, professional bats were brought to CYSS No. 4 by 74-year-old teacher of VSU named after Masherov, candidate for master of sports in gorodki Gennady Smolin:

— My bat weighs 3 kilograms 200 grams. In my youth, we calculated that professionals could throw up to 10 tons during a training session. But now we are not striving for such achievements. The main thing is a healthy lifestyle and maintaining good athletic form.

Gennady Smolin is willing to work as a coach on a voluntary basis. And Viktor Strizhak is ready to provide equipment to those who wish free of charge for the time being.

In the future, this will turn into a paid service provided by CYSS No. 4. Will a gorodki sports department be opened there? Will professional gorodki tournaments start to be held in Vitebsk? Everything depends on how many fans this undeservedly forgotten sport will gain and on their successes.

Sergey Golesnik, SB Belarus Segodnya