Mintimer Shaimiev meets with Naina Yeltsina

On March 9 Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev met with the widow of the first President of the Russian Federation Naina Yeltsina.

Naina Yeltsina arrived in Kazan in the morning and visited Kazan Tennis Academy, where the International Junior Tennis Tournament ITF “Yeltsin Cup” is being held from March 4.

To the point, it is the fourth time Kazan hosted the tournament. More than 100 tennis players from 11 countries are taking part in it this year.

Naina Yeltsina watched the final matches of the tournament and took part in the awarding ceremony.

The Yeltsin Cup is a great chance for young people under 18 years of age to unlock their sporting talent, Naina Yeltsina stated. It is very important for them to test their strength at the competition of such a high level, she added.

Naina Yeltsina thanked the regional leadership and all Tatarstan citizens for excellent organisation of the tournament, which has become a traditional event for those who like tennis.

Mintimer Shaimiev, in his turn, thanked Naina Yeltsina for her constant attention to Tatarstan, support of the activities of the Regional Foundation of Revival of Historical and Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Tatarstan and invited her to visit the ancient town of Bolgar and the island town Sviyazhsk in summer.

Former Aide to Russian President, Board Member of “Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center” Foundation Vladimir Shevchenko, President of the Russian Tennis Federation Shamil Tarpischev, World number one tennis player according to the WTA rankings in 2009, Honoured Master of Sports of Russia Dinara Safina, Aide to Tatarstan President Tatiana Larionova, Tatarstan Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov also part in the meeting.