Mintimer Shaimiev meets Naina Yeltsina

On February 25, Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev met Naina Yeltsina and Tatyana Yumasheva, the wife and the daughter of the first President of Russia Boris Yeltsin, who came to Kazan to attend finals and an award ceremony of the ITF International Tennis Tournament "Yeltsin Cup-2018".

The international competitions started at the Kazan Tennis Academy on February 19. The tournament is held for the eighth time and more than 160 athletes from 22 countries are taking part in it this year.

Established by the Yeltsin Foundation, the first tournament was held on February 28 in 2011, in the year of the 80th anniversary of the birth of Boris Yeltsin to commemorate the memory of the first Russian President who was keen on tennis and made a great contribution to the development of this kind of sport.

The guests came to the meeting after the ceremony of awarding the winners of the Yeltsin Cup Tournament. Naina Yeltsin shared her impressions of Kazan and the competitions. 

"Every time I come to Kazan I see that Tatarstan is changing very much, Kazan is changing. It is becoming more and more beautiful. And the Tennis Academy was established for people, for children. It is great that it is popular. Tennis players from 22 countries have come to Kazan to take part in the eighth tournament this year. It is great. Your people are very responsible. The organization is good, the atmosphere here is sincere. Tatarstan is a hospitable republic, everything is always done with a smile. It is always beautiful and open. I am delighted with the republic and with the things that are taking place here," Naina Yeltsina said.

She also noted that she is following the activities of the Revival Foundation, how churches are restored in the republic. "You already have three UNESCO heritage sites.  No other republic has. You are independent. Mintimer Sharipovich is the leader of this kind. Boris Nikolayevich always appreciated him and consulted with him. Mintimer Sharipovich had influence with Boris Nikolayevich," Yeltsina said.