''Don’t you dare to have a sense of grandeur!'' What else Rustam Minnikhanov told at the meeting with athletes

Shall pleasant traditions exist

To invite winners and medallists of different competitions is becoming a pleasant tradition for Rustam Minnikhanov. He did not pass by 2016 EuroSkills and met with remarkable people in this sphere. Coaches, experts who prepared athletes and activists were also invited to the event.

Apart from the head of the republic, Minister of Education and Science of Tatarstan Engel Fattakhov, aide to President on Social Issues Leyla Fazleyeva, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov and director general of Professional Skills Development Centre Emil Gubaidullin took part in the meeting. The minister of Youth Affairs and Sport who served as expert for Minnikhanov in invited guests was especially active.

Celebrated Tatarstan athletes who have achieved great success this year also participated in the meeting except winners and medallists of 2016 EuroSkills. Short course world champion Alexander Krasnykh, European judo champion Niyaz Bilalov and winners of different junior diving and weightlifting contests were also present in the hall.

Rustam Minnikhanov: ''I wanted to meet with you. You are an illustrative example of that a systematic work with coach and expert gives good results. We are proud that you represent our republic. We hope it has been only the beginning. You are young, you can achieve more.''

''Don't you dare to have a sense of grandeur''

The meeting started with the president's welcome speech and expression of his gratitude to the guests. He emphasised the importance of their results for Tatarstan and asked not to rest on their laurels.

''I am sincerely glad to meet with you on New Year's eve. First of all, I would like to note your achievements at EuroSkills. We knew this word not a long time ago. And today we have these a bit unexpected results. Of course, such sports achievements gladden us, especially in swimming where Alexander Krasnykh became the world champion. The republic did not have such awards. This is why I wanted to meet with you. You are an illustrative example of that a systematic work with coach and expert gives good results. We are proud that you represent our republic. We hope it has been only the beginning. You are young, you can achieve more. Don't you dare to have a sense of grandeur, it is the most important thing. It will be more difficult to repeat this success,'' told the president in front of the people who were there.

In addition, Minnikhanov noted the republic's infrastructural and financial state. According to him, the preparation for the Universiade and FINA World Championships allowed to improve the base of development, which became the main source of these results of the Tatarstan athletes.

''The job done during the preparation for the Universiade and FINA World Championships helps to achieve a result, of course. The financial base of our sports venues, educational and resource centres seriously allows to create strong teams who are able to fight for the best awards. Today my aides from corresponding ministries and I decided to not only thank you but also hear your remarks or wishes at your work.''

Alexander Krasnykh: ''First of all, I would like to thank for the support, the swimming pool in the school where I work. I also want to express my gratitude for your kind words addressed to me. I read them with a great pleasure.''

''We invite God knows whom, work with our people…''

Despite the president's desire to hear remarks, the athletes mainly expressed their gratitude for the help of the republic. Many people noted big support of the Ministry of Sport and their educational establishments. And 2016 short course world champion Alexander Krasnykh was surprised at congratulations of the Tatarstan government. Minister of Sport Vladimir Leonov presented him to the president:

''Indeed, it is a big victory for our republic, our coaches and schools. He comes from Bugulma. And we are building a big swimming pool for Alexander,'' Leonov said.

The very athlete spoke little: ''First of all, I would like to thank for the support, the swimming pool in the school where I work. I also want to express my gratitude for your kind words addressed to me. I read them with a great pleasure. The help of the Ministry of Sport, Fakel sports complex where I train is very important. It is great support for us while competing with athletes from other countries,'' Alexander Krasnykh shared his opinion.

The coaches did not hide their desire to improve some things in life of sports schools and their pupils besides their gratitude. In particular, Alexander Krasnykh's coach Sergey Kuznetsov noted that everything was fine. But they would like to change some infrastructural facilities they had at their disposal. Meanwhile, coach of the medallist of the 2016 World Junior Diving Championships Nikita Shleikher asked Rustam Minnikhanov to organise international diving competitions.

The president supported the idea and asked Vladimir Leonov to undertake the task.

The minister noted the achievements of the European judo champion in +100 kg category Niyaz Bilalov (left)

The minister, in turn, noted the achievements of the European judo champion in +100 kg category Niyaz Bilalov and junior weightlifters Maria Petrova and Nadezhda Likhacheva. By the way, one of the coaches of the girls did not stay on the sidelines and tried insinuating Minnikhanov to pay greater attention and support more. Instead, he promised to prepare the Kazan junior athletes to the next competitions at the Universiade, which will be held in Taipei (Taiwan).

In conclusion, Rustam Minnikhanov expressed his discontent. In some cases, our directors used to invite overseas specialists, while treating our own resources with disrespect. He told: ''We invite God knows whom, work with our people…'' At the same time, he promised to follow achievements in these sports having asked to speak to him in case of any questions while preparing for competitions.