BRICS Sports Ministers Meet in Kazan

Russian Minister of Sport Mikhail Degtyarev chaired a meeting of BRICS Sports Ministers in Kazan on 22 June at the Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

The event was attended by Director of the State General Administration of Sport of China Gao Zhidan, Secretary of High Development Sports of Brazil Iziane Castro Marques, Director General of the Sports Authority of India Sandeep Pradhan, Director General of the General Authority of Sports in the UAE Ghanim Mubarak Rashid Al Hajeri, Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Sports Kejela Merdassa, Director General of International Affairs of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs of Iran Mohammad Hossein Taghizadeh Khamane, and Ambassador of the BRICS Sports Games Dominique Saatenang.

“As Russian President Vladimir Putin has said, more and more states that share the principles upon which BRICS has been founded and functions are being drawn to the organization. It is highly symbolic that we would come together during the BRICS Games, which I’m sure everyone has enjoyed. BRICS co-operation in sports is built on the spirit of partnership and remains a priority for co-operation between our states. Since its founding, BRICS has achieved much and dispelled any doubts about its credibility. Nowadays, it is taking on an increasingly important role in the resolution of global issues, and sports are a part of that. BRICS continues to be an example of true multilateralism and respect for one another,” Mikhail Degtyarev said.

Event participants made presentations and discussed relevant issues surrounding the development of sports within BRICS.

“Up to 13,000 sporting events are held in Russia annually. The number of international competitions in Russia has increased by almost 70% since 2020, and at many of these it is not unknown for world-class Russian athletes to break world records. Russia has always been for fair competition and the use of sports to strengthen peace and achieve better understanding among the nations. We continue to prepare athletes for international competition despite discriminatory restrictions,” Mikhail Degtyarev said.

The second part of the meeting welcomed agency heads from Venezuela, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Cuba and representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Djibouti, and Nicaragua for extended interaction.

Following the meeting, Degtyarev spoke about Russia’s work on a framework programme for the development of sports co-operation within BRICS that will include rules for countries hosting the BRICS Games. The document will serve as a foundation for the development of co-operation and consolidate the values inherent to sports.

The Roscongress Foundation manages the events of Russia’s BRICS Chairship.