OREANDA-NEWS. October 23, 2009. Speaking at the opening, the President said he hoped the forum would become a platform for discussing current issues in sports in Russia and internationally.

Mr Medvedev noted that sport is once again becoming a mass pastime in Russia with the construction of gyms, swimming pools, skating rinks, stadiums, physical culture and health centres, and the provision of modern new equipment for existing sports facilities.

This year alone, more than 200 facilities have already been built, and another 170 are expected to be ready for use by the end of the year.

The President called on the regional authorities and the business community to become involved in this work. Every region’s budget should make funding for sport and physical culture a priority item, he said.

The forum runs until October 25 and is being attended by around 1,400 people, including 300 delegates from abroad.

Earlier in the day, Mr Medvedev visited the Kazan Tennis Academy, inspected the training courts and competition court, and spoke with young tennis players. The President also visited General School No. 177, the biggest in the Republic of Tatarstan, where he met with players of the Rubin football team, who were holding a master class at the school. Mr Medvedev congratulated the players on their victory against Spanish team Barcelona in a recent away match in their Champions’ League group, and wished them continued sporting triumphs.