Rustam Minnikhanov Victory of Strela in the Russia Cup is a perfect gift to the 55th anniversary of Tatarstan rugby

On 21 September, speaking at a ceremony of commending the Tatarstan rugby club Strela, which won the Russia Rugby Cup 2023, held in the Kazan Kremlin with participation of the regional Prime Minister Aleksey Pesoshin, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated the athletes and coaches of the club with winning the trophy. 

“During the Russia Cup series you demonstrated the supreme sportsmanship, the team spirit and the faith into the victory. We attentively followed your plays and were sincerely happy with your successes,” he said. 

Rustam Minnikhanov stated that Tatarstan rugby has rich history as this kind of sports has been developing in the republic for 55 years already. “It is especially valuable for us that the team consists of our players and trainings are carried out by Tatarstan rugby trainees. This means we have a good foundation.  The victory of Strela in the Russia Cup is a perfect gift to the 55th anniversary of Tatarstan rugby,” he emphasized. 

Currently there are about 1 900 people doing  rugby in the republic and the Rais of the republic state that winning the Russia Cup is a result of planned work of the whole team: athletes, coaches, management, administrative staff, Tatarstan Rigby Federation and sponsors.

“I am sure that due to your victory rugby in Tatarstan will get a new impetus for further development and will become even more popular with the residents and you will continue making us happy with you high sports achievements,” Rustam Minnikhanov said and handed in Letters of Gratitude from the Rais of the republic. 

The chief coach of the Strela JP Nel thanked the administration of the republic for the support and attention given to development of rugby in Tatarstan and expressed his hope that the victory in the Russia Cup 2023 will be far from the last trophy of the team.