Rustam Minnikhanov and Igor Levitin take part in opening of XXI table tennis individual and team competitions

On 18 March the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Igor Levitin took part in a ceremonial opening of XXI table tennis individual and team competitions held in the Settlement of Bogatye Saby of Tatarstan.

Before the start of competitions Rustam Minnikhanov, Igor Levitin and other officials visited the Saby comprehensive school, where they walked round school classes, the gym and the school hall, the canteen and the informatics class.

Later the same day, speaking at the competitions opening ceremony, Igor Levitin said that every year more and more athletes are taking part in them. He said he hopes that tournaments will be held in Saby region for many years to come and wished athletes a fair play.

In his turn, Rustam Minnikhanov said that it is a great honour for Tatarstan to host the All-Russia table tennis competitions, with athletes coming from regions of Russia and municipalities of Tatarstan, and wished all participants good sports results

In conclusion of the opening ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov and Igor Levitin handed in awards and certificates of master athletes in tennis table to the leading athletes.

Tatarstan Minister of Sports Vladimir Leonov, regional Minister of Forestry Ravil Kuzyurov, the President of the Table Tennis Federation of the republic Aynur Aydeldinov and other officials also took part in the opening ceremony of the competitions.

In the end of his trip to Saby municipality, Rustam Minnikhanov laid flowers to the grave of the honored forestry specialist of RSFSR and TASSR and the holder of The Badge of Honour and the October Revolution Orders Nurgali Minnikhanov.