The International School Sports Festival among the CIS countries was held in Moscow from November 7 to 12. The event is traditional – it was held for the tenth time. 12 teams, consisting of more than five hundred sportsmen, competed. Competitions took place in badminton, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, mini-football and chess. A team from Pridnestrovie took part in the festival for the first time. The debut turned out to be successful: the Pridnestrovians won twelve medals and took first place in the team event.
The sportsmen, coaches and trip organizers were received by the PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky today. The meeting took place at the conference hall of the presidential executive office.
Welcoming the guests, Vadim Krasnoselsky congratulated the team on their successful performance, expressing gratitude for the worthy representation of the republic. The President emphasized that during the entire stay of the Pridnestrovian delegation in the Russian capital, he closely followed the progress of the competition and supported the team albeit from distance. President highlighted the fact that the Pridnestrovians performed under the flag of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and during the festival the PMR anthem was played every day.
The curator of the participation of Pridnestrovians in the International School Sports Festival, Advisor to the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Pavel Prokudin, said that it took less than three weeks to form and prepare the team. The head of the Pridnestrovian delegation Nikolai Mytsykov personally traveled throughout the republic, selecting sportsmen worthy of representing the country in the designated sports. Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized how significant it is that the team included representatives of sports schools in cities and regions of the country. This aspect demonstrates the integrity of Pridnestrovie and the unity of the Pridnestrovian people, the President noted.
The age limit of participants was initially limited by the organizers to those born in 2008-2010. Pridnestrovians were allowed to include younger sportsmen in the team, including those born in 2012. They got to the Russian capital by bus. The three days of travel brought the young people together even more, the leader said. According to him, this was their first trip outside the republic for most of them. The team looked very dignified and bright not only in terms of sporting achievements, but also in appearance, the coaches noted: the delegation was provided with a sports uniform with attributes indicating their Pridnestrovian membership.
The young people, sharing their impressions, noted the high level of organization of the large-scale sports festival. The festival took place on the territory of a former factory. The area of the premises made it possible to hold competitions in various sports simultaneously. There were seven basketball courts where the games were held.
The sportsmen said that they felt the support of their compatriots: they received video postcards from their home schools every day, and they knew that top officials of the state were watching their achievements. They say that the Pridnestrovian team was distinguished by special cohesion. A rich cultural and entertainment program was considered by the festival organizers in addition to the competitive part.
Plans for the future, which now include participation in the next International School Sports Festival were discussed in the course of conversation with the President. They also talked about the pressing problems faced by Pridnestrovian athletes. For example, they talked about gaps in the organization of badminton classes. There are talented young people, there is also a desire to develop in this direction, but there is no permanent training room in the capital. The President promised to help. It is proposed as an option to include the badminton team in the Dynamo sports movement. The idea will be discussed.
The coaches and leadership of the delegation that worthily represented Pridnestrovie at the international festival were awarded state awards.
“Until we meet again, I wish you new victories!” – the President told the youth, concluding the meeting.
