On December 22, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, sportsmen, coaches, representatives of sports organizations, heads of sponsor companies took part in a solemn ceremony of awarding best sportsmen of Tatarstan by results of 2014 “Sportsman of the year 2014” at Volga state academy of physical culture, sport and tourism.

Opening the ceremony, Tatarstan Minister of Sport Vladimir Leonov said that 600 different sport events were held in the republic in 2014. He thanked heads of sports clubs and federations for successful work and personally Rustam Minnikhanov for his attention to physical culture and sport.

Sportsmen, sports federations and organizations, coaches, and media agencies were honoured at the ceremony.

Awards were presented by famous sports figures – President of Russian Tennis Federation, member of International Olympic Committee Shamil Tarpishev, President of Russian Taekwondo Federation Anatoly Terekhov, deputy of Russian State Duma, member of Executive Committee of Russian Olympic Committee Marat Bariev, and Tatarstan Vice-premier Vasil Shaikhraziev.

A silver medalist in European Sambo Championship Anastasia Kovyazina and World belt wrestling champion Rail Nurgaliev were announced best sportsmen in non-olympic sports.

Best teams in team sports are winners of European champions league Dinamo-Kazan volleyball club, and Dinamo-Kazan field hockey club.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov handed main awards. He noted that for the last few years the republic has showed itself in professional and mass sport, and due to Universiade Kazan and Tatarstan have become world-known.

Minnikhanov said that all cycles of training are provided in the republic. He congratulated sportsmen and coaches and handed the awards.