Mintimer Shaimiev: ”On behalf of all people of Tatarstan I congratulate “Rubin” on championship”

Newly-made Russian football champions of 2008 – the football players of “Rubin” returned to the Tatarstan capital late on November 2.

Some 2 thousand fans gathered to meet the Champions at the Kazan International Airport. Not only ordinary fans but also leaders of Kazan and the republic all wearing the club clothes came to greet the new heroes.

“For the first time in the republican history thanks to glorious playing of “Rubin” we have football champions of Russia,” Mintimer Shaimiev said. “I would like to thank specially the chief coach Kurban Berdyev, all his companions, all those who worked for this victory. On behalf of all people of Tatarstan, all wonderful fans I would like to say thank you very much and from all my hearts to congratulate our multinational team”.

“Thank you very much for your trust to the team, patience and belief in us becoming champions. You were with us when we were unlucky and now I congratulate you on this victory,” Kurban Berdyev addressed the fans.