"Sport helps to return to a 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 is designed 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, the Cup will involve 18 sports. 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. Zelenodolsk Mayor 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 by 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. Wishing 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 noted 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 an active life, and find new goals,” she emphasized. Arslanova reminded that the fund supports veterans and families of fallen fighters in various directions – 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 deputy mufti of Tatarstan for supporting participants of the special military operation and their families, Mansur Dzhalyaletdinov, emphasized the special significance of the competitions. 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. And here comes a team, 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 of the special military operation Ruslan Kharrasov. Today he competes in sitting volleyball and plans to participate in tournaments in 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. Resident of Yelabuga Oleg Gorokhov 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 on the front lines. 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 on the front lines. The veteran recalls constant shelling and heavy losses among his comrades. According to him, on the very first day after arriving, the unit came under enemy fire, resulting in the death of one of the fighters. “To be honest, it’s very tough there – it felt like I was in hell. To the guys who are currently on the front lines, I want to wish just one thing – to take care of themselves. 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 saw 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 – it hasn’t become harder to train, but rather, 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.

      Participants in the Rais Cup of Tatarstan include not only veterans of the special military operation but also those who helped fighters on the front lines. 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 were the same for everyone – there were no concessions for women. But there were always people next to 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”