SPORTS UNITES: TATARSTAN HARMONISES RUSSIAN–ISLAMIC WORLD TIES
TODAY, TATARSTAN IS ONE OF RUSSIA’S LEADING SPORTS REGIONS, WITH ITS UNIQUE SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE TURNING THE REPUBLIC INTO A POINT OF ATTRACTION FOR ATHLETES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE.
– Vladimir LEONOV, Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan
SPORTS IN TATARSTAN: FROM COMPETITIONS TO STANDARDS
In recent years, the Republic of Tatarstan, as one of Russia’s leading sports regions boasting a unique, world class sports infrastructure bequeathed by the 27th Summer Universiade of 2013, the 2015 World Aquatics Championships, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has become a powerful point of attraction for athletes from across the globe.
- Tatarstan’s work extends far beyond the mere organisation of one off events, it aims to build a system that includes: A regular calendar of dual wrestling tournaments (Greco Roman, freestyle, and the folk wrestling style köräş), judo, taekwondo, football, and ice hockey. For example, Kazan has for several years now been hosting the “Cup of the East” children’s football tournament and the ORCHIS international ice hockey tournament involving the Islamic world and Russia.
- The exchange of sports management expertise. Colleagues from OIC member states regularly visit Tatarstan for business talks, sharing best practice, or holding sports training camps. The Republic’s infrastructure, together with a strong team of the Directorate for Sports and Social Projects and the Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, allows to pursue any form of cooperation aimed at developing the sports industry.
ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY ON AND OFF PITCH
Sports in the modern world is big business. Each year, Kazan hosts the International Economic Forum “Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum,” which—alongside its business agenda—features an extensive sports programme, paving the way for strengthening friendly partnerships and forging new contacts for cooperation between OIC member states.
Of particular interest to our partners from Islamic states are:
Sports in the modern world is big business. Each year, Kazan hosts the International Economic Forum “Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum,” which—alongside its business agenda—features an extensive sports programme, paving the way for strengthening friendly partnerships and forging new contacts for cooperation between OIC member states.
Of particular interest to our partners from Islamic states are:
- Organising and staging of sports events. The Republic of Tatarstan boasts unique experience in preparing for and successfully delivering projects of varying scales— from World Cup to Universiade and World Championships. We stand ready to share our expertise and skills regularly: passing on operational management methods, the standards of the volunteer corps, and approaches to the post-tournament use of facilities. For our part, we are open to exploring new competition formats successfully used in the Islamic world.
- Constructing and operating sports facilities. Tatarstan’s experience in building sports venues—stadiums, ice palaces, swimming pools—is in demand among countries preparing for major tournaments. We see potential in joint ventures.
- Tourism and hospitality. Sports events act as drivers of inbound tourism. Of particular importance, in this regard, are efforts to harmonise legal conditions for visa free or simplified short term visits by sports delegations—a matter directly linked to economic diplomacy and relevant parliamentary committees.
LAW HARMONISATION AND COMMON VALUES
In the long run, one cannot overlook the matter of legal and regulatory frameworks. Today, we are adopting best practices from OIC countries in the fight against doping, ensuring security at mass events (halal standards for catering to athletes, providing prayer rooms at stadiums, and taking into account religious considerations when drawing up competition schedules).
STRATEGIC VISION: TATARSTAN TO OPEN ISLAMIC SPORTS WORLD TO RUSSIA
Our long-term goal is not merely to maintain but to expand the portfolio of joint projects both in traditional sports and beyond (e-sports and phygital sports). The first Games of the Future in Kazan proved that this format echoes with young people, given there are no language and cultural barriers.
The Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan stands ever ready as a reliable and open partner for cooperation. We are convinced that joint projects in sports are not simply a list of victories and records but investments in the future of our nations, in the health of our peoples, and in nurturing mutual respect and fair competition in young people. By engaging in dialogue on the sports arena, we strengthen the dialogue of civilisations. Sports is our common diplomacy of success.
Tatarstan looks forward to welcoming everyone at competitions, forums, and negotiations.
In the long run, one cannot overlook the matter of legal and regulatory frameworks. Today, we are adopting best practices from OIC countries in the fight against doping, ensuring security at mass events (halal standards for catering to athletes, providing prayer rooms at stadiums, and taking into account religious considerations when drawing up competition schedules).
STRATEGIC VISION: TATARSTAN TO OPEN ISLAMIC SPORTS WORLD TO RUSSIA
Our long-term goal is not merely to maintain but to expand the portfolio of joint projects both in traditional sports and beyond (e-sports and phygital sports). The first Games of the Future in Kazan proved that this format echoes with young people, given there are no language and cultural barriers.
The Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan stands ever ready as a reliable and open partner for cooperation. We are convinced that joint projects in sports are not simply a list of victories and records but investments in the future of our nations, in the health of our peoples, and in nurturing mutual respect and fair competition in young people. By engaging in dialogue on the sports arena, we strengthen the dialogue of civilisations. Sports is our common diplomacy of success.
Tatarstan looks forward to welcoming everyone at competitions, forums, and negotiations.