Rustam Minnikhanov: Due to achievements of the Zenith-Kazan volleyball is rapidly developing in Tatarstan

On 11 May , speaking at a ceremony honouring the Zenith-Kazan male volleyball club, which for the 11th time has become the champion of Russia, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that during the whole championship Kazan volleyball players showed bright and robust play, the highest sportsmanship, a team spirit and a commitment to win. 

“We have been watching your plays attentively and with great pleasure. Having come from behind to beat the Moscow Dinamo in the final play, you have proved that your loss last year was just a chance and the title of the champion of Russia 2023 was won by the strongest team. The whole republic is proud of you!” Rustam Minnikhanov said, speaking to the team.

He emphasized that due to achievements of our famous clubs, volleyball is rapidly developing in Tatarstan and is one of the most mass and popular kinds of sports and the players of the team are idols for young volleyball players.

“Undoubtedly your success is a result of systemic and targeted work of the whole club. I would like to express my gratitude to the administration of the team, players and coaches headed by Aleksey Verbov. I also want to thank the Federation of volleyball of the republic and the Gazprom Company – the club’s sponsor”, Rustam Minnikhanov said and handed in the First Degree Medal of the Order of Merit for the Motherland to the club athlete-instructor Dmitriy Volkov and the Letter of appreciation of the Rais of the republic to the team. 

In his response the President of the Zenith-Kazan Volleyball Club Rafkat Kantyukov read out a congratulatory telegram from the Gazprom Board Chairman Aleksey Miller which said: “The team showed its best sports qualities, unbending will to win and justifiably deserved the status of the strongest in the country.”