| 2008-10-20 |
Published: Regions.ru |
Vitaliy Mutko, Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation, leaders of the Bicycling Federation of Russia (BFR) and its Board of Guardians discussed the state of things with the national bicycling at their sitting. It was held in the head office of ITERA, a many years BFR primary sponsor, in Moscow.
They discussed problems and priorities of national cycling in a candid and positive manner, - the BFR Board of Guardians Press-Service told a REGIONS.RU correspondent.
Igor Makarov, Deputy Chairman of the BFR Board of Guardians, Chairman of ITERA International Group of companies Board of Directors, believed US$ 30 million a year are required to ensure a healthy growth of bicycling, including maintenance of children’s and youth sport schools, holding of a prestigious Tour of Sochi race, establishment of the two male and one female professional teams. “This, - he pointed out, - is times less than the maintenance of any single soccer club of the Russian Prime League. Katyusha, a professional bicycling team that is currently being formed would soon struggle on equal terms against the most formidable contestants in all grand tours, including Tour de France.
Vitaliy Mutko thanked the head of ITERA for the sponsor support to “the complicated, intellectual technical sport” and stressed that the state was ready to invest in bicycling. “To do this, it is necessary to put things in order in this wonderful sport with glorious traditions and great achievements, as well as to meet a few conditions”, - the minister stated. First, it is necessary to unite the Russian bicycling. It is a shame, for example, that the Federation of Bicycling of St.-Petersburg is not a member of the BFR. Second, it is necessary to find points of growth. Probably, there should be about 20 specialized centers and schools. This would allow for improvement of the current situation within two or three years provided modern racetracks and training possibilities are in place, Third, it is necessary to establish a purpose-oriented program intended to help develop bicycling. I am ready to participate in this work”.
Alexander Gusiatnikov, President of BFR, Yuri Kucheriavy, the state coach on roadway bicycling races, First Vice President of BFR, Peter Chevardov, Executive Director of Fund for development and support of bicycling in Russia, Sergei Nikitenko, Member of the BFR Board of Guardians, World Champion, Denis Pankratov, Director of the Department on the state Policy and Development of Top Achievements in Sports of the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation, twice Olympic Champion, and others took part in the discussions.
Participants in the meeting supported the proposal by Vitaliy Mutko to hold a conference of the leading coaches. It is planned that issues of organizational, financial, material, technical, scientific and methodological support to bicycling in the country should be discussed.
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