OREANDA-NEWS. September 24, 2014. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and SIBUR opened the Volgarfacility in Tolyatti to accommodate the basketball court refurbished under their multiyear partnership to provide safe and accessible basketball facilities, grow the appeal of basketball in Russia, and promote an active lifestyle.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mikhail Gordin, SIBUR’s Managing Director of the Synthetic Rubber division, Alexei Buzinny, the First Deputy Mayor of Tolyatti, Andrey Kharin, the first deputy minister of sport for the Samara Region, Vladimir Dutsev, MP in the Samara Region Duma, NBA Vice President, Russia - David Watts, and NBA legend and seven-time champion Robert Horry.

Alexey Buzinny, First Deputy Mayor of Tolyatti, said: "SIBUR and the NBA’s joint project is a remarkable example of how sport has no boundaries or nationality. SIBUR demonstrates its commitment to supporting and promoting popular sports, particularly basketball. We hope that further successful cooperation between SIBUR and the National Basketball Association will enable young men and women from Tolyatti to become recognised among new world champions."

Mikhail Gordin, Managing Director, SIBUR Synthetic Rubbers Division, said: "SIBUR is delighted to join with the NBA to support the city in promoting children’s basketball. The basketball court revamp was primarily intended as part of the initiative to support popular sports. Sports are an essential part of the Company's corporate culture. We see the promotion of sports at our enterprises as a priority both in Tolyatti and in other cities. I hope that the new court will become a launch pad for a number of budding sportsmen and that we will see new local and national champions make their first steps here."

David Watts, NBA Vice President for Russia, said: "The NBA’s goal is quite simple: it promotes basketball among adolescents and children. But adequate facilities are necessary for proper training. Thank to the efforts of SIBUR, the Administration of Tolyatti and the Government of the Samara Region who joined forces to build the new court in Tolyatti, dozens of young basketball players will be able to improve their performance in sports. This is the NBA’s first time in Tolyatti and hopefully not their last.”

The refurbished court hosted a basketball tournament between SIBUR's team and the representatives of legislative and executive bodies of the Samara Region and Tolyatti, as well as a basketball clinic for local children by Robert Horry.

The Volgar sports complex in Tolyatti is the second basketball court refurbished as part of a joint project of NBA and SIBUR to upgrade basketball courts in ten Russian cities. The improved facility in Tolyatti will increase opportunities for the community, including SIBUR’s employees and their children, to learn and play the game of basketball.

On 2 August 2014, SIBUR and NBA opened the first refurbished basketball court in Perm. The opening ceremony was attended by two NBA stars, twin brothers Brook and Robin Lopez.