“Red racket”: in Minsk officials, diplomats and athletes played table tennis
In Minsk, in honor of the October Revolution Day, the traditional friendly table tennis tournament “Red Racket” was held.
Actively and informally, representatives of civil services, the diplomatic corps and sports meet the October Revolution Day at the “Red Racket” tournament.
Table tennis competitions are traditional. Today, both amateurs and professionals test their strength. And for managers, this is a great opportunity to communicate outside of work and distract from everyday work.
Sergey Kovalchuk, Minister of Sport and Tourism of Belarus: This is the first time we are holding a tournament of such scale, volume, so that 38 participants in the composition of men and eight women participants were. We've never had that. That's one. The second is support for sports, for a healthy lifestyle. The priority of the national policy of the Republic of Belarus is a healthy nation, healthy people. And by their example today, officials, managers, diplomats show how to spend weekends, what to do. In a circle of friends, a circle of like-minded people, we hold such a table tennis tournament.”.
Of course, the tournament is friendly. And today really: the main thing is not victory, but a good, festive mood. However, no one is going to relax. And the competition is held in an uncompromising struggle.
Alim Selimov, Chairman of the Belarusian Wrestling Federation: Look at how many familiar faces, friends, comrades there are. I believe that to coincide with each holiday such sports events is just a very sensible decision. I think there will be very interesting sports battles today.
Sergey Rutenko, Chairman of the Belarusian Basketball Federation: For me, the format is very unusual. I couldn't help but respond to the invitation. It's a wonderful event. It's a good day, a holiday. I haven't had a racket since school. At school, like we all did, of course. Well, let's see how embarrassing I am today.”.
The competition continues. And very soon the names of the winners and prize-winners of the competition will be known. And the tournament “Red racket” is a great example where sports and friendship are combined.
