Vasily Zakharevich on the success of athletes and the construction of new sports facilities in the Vitebsk region
– What marked the beginning of the current year?
– Athletes from the region won 24 medals at official international competitions. In particular, the performances of Maksim Nedasekau at the European Athletics Indoor Championships left a vivid impression. He took first place in the high jump and showed the best result of the season in the world. Traditionally, representatives of trampoline gymnastics, who shone at the European Championships and Cup in Sochi, pleased with their medal-winning performances.
Work on the construction and reconstruction of sports facilities continues. This includes the sports and recreation complex with a swimming pool in Chashniki, a swimming pool in Glubokoye, major repairs with elements of modernization of sports and recreation complexes in Orsha and the agro-town of Babinichi, Orsha district, and a stadium in Shumilino.
– Please predict which athletes from the region are capable of winning medals at the Olympics.
– Predictions in sports are a thankless task. And I don't like to make them. I hope that athletes from the Vitebsk region will perform successfully, and those who do not manage to win prizes will show their best results.
– As far as I know, you promote a healthy lifestyle by personal example…
– I am a former professional volleyball player. As part of the Gomel team, I was a prize-winner of the Belarusian Championship. They say there are no former athletes. So, I try to find time and opportunities for sports. Every week, we, the heads of the departments of the Regional Executive Committee, gather to play volleyball. In addition, I play tennis twice a week.
– Are your children involved in sports?
– My sons followed in my footsteps. The elder one is a coach for one of the strongest teams in the Belarusian Women's Championship: "Zhemchuzhina Polesya" from Mozyr. My younger son is a multiple champion of Belarus and plays for the national team. My daughter is a designer and a fan of a healthy lifestyle.
– What are your fan preferences in sports?
– I love watching team sports. Of course, I root for the teams from the Vitebsk region. Whenever possible, I try to attend home matches of FC Vitebsk, VC Marko-VGTU, BC Rubon, and our other teams in the regional center. I regularly watch team sports and biathlon on TV. I have always been a fan of FC Dynamo Kyiv. By the way, I was pleased that the team regained the championship title in the Ukrainian league this year after a long break and performed well in the European arena. In hockey and basketball, I have also been a fan of CSKA Moscow since Soviet times.
– How do you relax from sports?
– Sometimes I feel like being alone. I enjoy spending time in nature – I like mushroom picking and fishing. I also love cooking, especially making shashlik.
– Let's get back to the professional holiday. What would you like to wish your colleagues on the Day of Physical Culture and Sports Workers?
– I want to express my deep gratitude to the coaches for their professionalism, competence, responsible attitude to their work, as well as for their patience and perseverance. Special words of appreciation go to our veterans – people who have made a worthy personal contribution to creating a solid foundation for the development of the industry and nurturing the younger generation. The workers in the field face responsible tasks aimed at implementing state policy in the sphere of physical culture, sports, and tourism. I am confident that everyone will make every effort to successfully cope with these tasks. I congratulate all colleagues and sports enthusiasts on their professional holiday. I wish all workers in the field good health, peace, and prosperity, and to the athletes – new achievements and brilliant victories for the benefit of their native Belarus!