The interregional "Defenders of the Fatherland Cup" concluded in Dzerzhinsk.

      The interregional tournament "Defenders of the Fatherland Cup" concluded in Dzerzhinsk

      A solemn closing ceremony for the interregional competition "Defenders of the Fatherland Cup" was held at the Regional Center for Adaptive Sports "Parus". The main event was the awards ceremony, conducted by the President of the Paralympic Committee of Russia Pavel Rozhkov; the Minister of Sport of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Dmitry Kabaylo; the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Yevgeny Lyulin; the Head of the Department for Public Projects of the State Fund "Defenders of the Fatherland" Mikhail Artamonov; Hero of Russia, Colonel and veteran of the special military operation Rustam Saifullin; and the Deputy Director for Innovative Sports at the Federal Center for Training Sports Reserves, Order of Courage recipient and veteran of the special military operation Igor Starovoit.

      Pavel Alekseevich Rozhkov noted: "All participants of the Cup demonstrated brilliant results at these competitions, and I sincerely congratulate each of you, especially our champions and prize-winners! It is noticeable how your skills grow from competition to competition. I can say with confidence that in terms of intensity of emotions, passion and level of competition, this Cup is in no way inferior to the largest international starts. We are confident that in the near future many of you will make a name for yourselves at the championships of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and of Russia, and will join the ranks of the national team. Thanks to the support of the Presidential Grants Fund, we will continue the practice of inviting you to train with our national teams. Over the past three years this initiative has borne tangible fruit: many of your comrades-in-arms have already joined the national team, become champions and prize-winners of all-Russian competitions and now successfully perform on the international stage. We are waiting for you and are ready to provide you with comprehensive assistance."

      Mikhail Artamonov emphasized that the "Defenders of the Fatherland Cup" brought together 142 veterans of the Armed Forces who went through the special military operation. "Each of these stories is an example of courage, heroism and an unbreakable will to live, despite all hardships and losses. These are not fictional characters but real heroes who, by their personal example, write a new page in the history of our country. We express to them our deepest gratitude and appreciation. You are true Defenders of the Fatherland. Thank you!"

      The recent competitions were not only a platform to demonstrate strength of spirit and sporting skill, but also an important tool for the rehabilitation and adaptation of veterans to civilian life. Holding competitions of this scale is undoubtedly a sign of trust from the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Paralympic Committee of Russia, and also testimony that Dzerzhinsk is deservedly becoming one of the centers for the development of adaptive sports in the country.

      The Chairman of the Board of the Veterans' Council of the special military operation Alexey Chubin noted: "Our Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, emphasized that a separate task is to provide veterans of the special military operation with broad opportunities to engage in sport when returning to civilian life. The Defenders of the Fatherland Cup is an important component in addressing this. I am glad that Dzerzhinsk hosted the participants of the special operation at a worthy level. In terms of organization and atmosphere, the competition went excellently. It is especially pleasing that our fellow townsmen, the guys from Dzerzhinsk, showed character and demonstrated a will to win."

      "I would especially like to express my deep gratitude to the residents of Dzerzhinsk. Your sincere involvement, willingness to help and warm reception were the key to the successful holding of this significant event. Special appreciation to the volunteers and organizers for their professionalism and dedication. Thank you for not letting us down! We created this celebration primarily for our Defenders of the Fatherland, who rightfully are the heroes of our time," emphasized Mikhail Klinkov. "Of course, I also congratulate our athletes who took part in competitions of this level for the first time. Our sitting volleyball team took 4th place, Vasily Martynov was the best in sitting sport knife throwing — a wonderful result for his first time! The guys are determined to fight and know what to strive for. Among the Nizhny Novgorod athletes, Sergey Talalushkin took third place in live-fire shooting, open class, and Denis Pechurkin won the bronze medal in seated archery. I congratulate all the heroes and am sure that for our athletes this is only the beginning of a long journey!"