"Sport helps return to peaceful life": the II Rais Cup for participants of the SVO has started in Tatarstan

      The Rais Cup has become a platform for communication and adaptation for veterans of the special operation

      "It is important to support our fighters of the special military operation"

      For the second consecutive year, with the support of Rustam Minnikhanov, the Rais Cup of Tatarstan is being held among participants of the special military operation. The tournament aims to help veterans of combat operations return to an active life, find new opportunities for communication and self-realization through sports. "The main task is to help the guys who returned from the war feel important and needed through sports and physical culture. So that they do not feel marginalized but are full citizens of society. After all, sports are primarily about communication, meeting with comrades and friends," said Ildar Sadriyev, Deputy Minister of Sports of Tatarstan, to Tatar-inform. According to him, the sports facilities of the republic are open to participants of the special military operation on a free or preferential basis. For those who wish to continue training professionally, the organizers will provide information about sections and training directions. Throughout the year, 18 sports will be involved in the Cup. Among the disciplines are swimming, hockey and slush hockey, shooting, sitting volleyball, powerlifting, arm wrestling, knife throwing, chess, backgammon, mini-football, kettlebell sport, and fidgetal directions. Regional stages will take place in Zelenodolsk, Almetyevsk, Nizhnekamsk, Kazan, Vysokogorsky District, and other municipalities. The final stage is scheduled for autumn. Winners will receive cash prizes.

      The mayor of Zelenodolsk, Mikhail Afanasyev, noted that holding the tournament in different cities of the republic is of special significance.

      "It is important to support our fighters of the special military operation. The Rais Cup of Tatarstan, named after Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov, is a particularly valuable trophy. Thank you to the organizers for holding the competitions in different cities of our republic, and today you are our guests in Zelenodolsk. I wish everyone a good journey," said the mayor.

      "Sports are one of the most effective ways of adaptation"

      The important role of rehabilitating veterans of the special military operation through sports is also emphasized by the Tatarstan branch of the "Defenders of the Fatherland" fund. According to the deputy head of the branch, Alsu Arslanova, such competitions help combat participants adapt to peaceful life more quickly and find support among like-minded people. "We are confident that sports are one of the most effective ways of adaptation. Today, about 120 veterans of the special military operation are participating in the competitions, including people with disabilities. Through such events, the guys communicate, return to active life, and find new goals," she emphasized. Arslanova reminded that the fund supports veterans and the families of fallen fighters in various ways—from document processing and obtaining combat veteran status to medical, psychological, and social assistance. In addition, participants of the special military operation are involved in sports and cultural events, and many initiatives arise from their own suggestions.

      The significance of the competitions was highlighted by Mansur Dzhalyaletdinov, Deputy Mufti of Tatarstan for supporting participants of the special military operation and their families. According to him, after returning home, many fighters face not only physical injuries but also serious psychological difficulties. "When a person returns from the front, it can be difficult to adapt to a new life. Here, a team appears, comrades, people with similar experiences. They support each other and help cope with difficulties. It is this team spirit that makes such competitions especially important," said Dzhalyaletdinov. He added that such meetings help veterans not to close in on themselves, find ways to solve common problems, and successfully undergo social adaptation. In his opinion, both the "Defenders of the Fatherland" fund and public organizations are doing significant work in this direction to help participants of the special military operation return to a full life.

      "Training helps distract from problems and unload thoughts"

      One of the participants in the tournament is veteran Ruslan Kharrasov. Today he competes in sitting volleyball and plans to participate in tournaments for football, table tennis, and fidgetal sports in the future. "Here you see others like yourself, your combat comrades. It’s nice to play and communicate with them. It helps to distract and unload thoughts," Kharrasov said. Before participating in the special military operation, Ruslan graduated from the Kazan Higher Tank Command School, served in Vladivostok, and was then sent to the combat zone. He fought as part of the 155th Separate Guards Marine Brigade and suffered severe burns during one of the offensives.

      Oleg Gorokhov, a resident of Yelabuga, came to Zelenodolsk to participate in powerlifting competitions. He decided to volunteer for the special military operation after the funeral of a friend's son who died at the front. According to the veteran, it was this tragedy that prompted him to sign a contract and go to the combat zone. His motivation was not money, but the desire to fulfill his duty to the Motherland. Gorokhov served in the Avdeevka direction as part of the "Center" troop grouping, where he was involved in delivering artillery pieces. He spent about three months at the front. The veteran recalls constant shelling and heavy losses among his comrades. According to him, on the very first day after arrival, the unit came under enemy fire, resulting in the death of one of the fighters. "To be honest, it’s very tough there—I felt like I was in hell. To the guys who are currently at the front, I want to wish only one thing—take care of yourselves. This is war, and the most important thing is to return home alive," Gorokhov said. Despite his injury and combat experience, the man tries to lead an active lifestyle and believes that it is important for veterans not to close in on themselves. According to him, participating in competitions helps distract from heavy thoughts, communicate with people, and find new goals.

      "Find new friends, discover yourself, and move forward"

      Mikhail Tikhonov, a resident of Mendeleevsk, participated in the powerlifting competitions. He has been involved in sports for a long time, so he viewed the opportunity to compete in the Rais Cup of Tatarstan as another chance to test his strength and meet like-minded people. "I have been doing this sport for a long time, so, as they say, it would be a sin not to agree and not to go to the competitions. After the special military operation and my injury, nothing has changed for me personally—I find it no harder to train; on the contrary, I have gained even more strength," Tikhonov noted. The veteran speaks cautiously about his service in the special military operation. According to him, the war left too heavy memories that he does not like to revisit. It is especially difficult to remember the combat comrades who are no longer around.

      Participation in the Rais Cup of Tatarstan is not only for veterans of the special military operation but also for those who helped fighters at the front. Among them is Alina Grigorieva from the volleyball team "Polite People" of the Vysokogorsky District. When the special military operation began, she sought the opportunity to get to the combat zone and ultimately spent two and a half years there as part of a medical company. "We transported the wounded to hospitals and destinations, and also organized the sending of fallen fighters home. My duties included calling the relatives of the fallen guys and contacting military enlistment offices to resolve related issues. The first time was very hard because the conditions are the same for everyone—there are no concessions for women there. But there were always people around me ready to support," Grigorieva said. According to the participant, the current competitions have become an opportunity for her to meet new people after moving to Tatarstan from the Nizhny Novgorod region and to communicate with those who have gone through similar trials. "I want to wish all participants good luck and victory. Many come here not only for the result but also to find new friends, discover themselves, and move forward," she concluded.

      Photo: © Alexandra Davydova / "Tatar-inform"