On August 25, as part of the chairmen of the Russian Federation in BRICS in 2020, the first meeting of the Sports Ministers of the BRICS countries was held in a video conference format. The event was attended by the Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Oleg Matytsin, Minister for Youth and Sports of the Republic of India Kiren Ridzhizh, Minister of the Main State Administration for Physical Culture and Sports of the People's Republic of China, GOU Zhunwan, Minister of Sports, Art and Culture of the South African Republic of Nkosinati Emmanuel Mthtva and Minister of Civil Laws of the Federal Republic of Brazil, Onyx Lorenzoni.
Oleg Matytsin greeted the five colleagues, emphasizing that this year, due to the spread of coronavirus infection, would go into history by changes in the usual way of life. The minister noted that this period confirmed a special unification mission of sports, allowed to even consolidate the sports community even more, as well as determine the main tasks and resources of further development.
Participants discussed topical issues of cooperation in the sports field, in particular the organization and conduct of sports events as part of the Indian chairmanship in BRICS in 2021. In addition, the Russian side announced his readiness to share experience and provide the necessary support for the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing in 2022.
“The first meeting took place - this is already a result,” said Oleg Matytsin in an interview with media representatives. - We pursue the most open policy from the Russian Federation in the field of sports. The format of the BRICS countries is effective. The readiness of all sports leaders of the BRICS countries was expressed to activate interaction not only in the sports line, but also in the field of scientific research, and humanitarian cooperation, and in the field of combating doping. And, of course, as the formalization of these agreements, a memorandum of cooperation was approved. ”
According to the results of the meeting of ministers, a memorandum of cooperation in the field of physical culture and sports was approved between the relevant ministries of the BRICS countries. The document provides for cooperation in the following areas: holding annual sports games BRICS in the country of the chairman in BRICS; exchange of athletes, coaches and sports specialists; encouraging athletes to participate in international sporting events held in the BRICS countries; cooperation in the field of sports of the highest achievements, mass sports and sports recreation; development of national, traditional and neolimpian sports; exchange of views on issues of mutual interest in the field of physical culture and sports, considered at international sites; exchange of research results and systematization of knowledge; The exchange of information on the implementation and maintenance of sports infrastructure facilities.
“Work on the memorandum lasted quite a long time, and it, in fact, creates a platform for the implementation of our joint projects,” said the head of the Russian Ministry of Sports. - This is the holding of the Games of the BRICS countries, which, unfortunately, this year did not take place in Chelyabinsk for reasons associated with the spread of coronavirus. But our colleague from India, who will preside the BRICS next year, confirmed the country's readiness to accept games. This is a very important aspect of our interaction, because young athletes will take part in the games, which are a very important factor in the eating of our countries and demonstration of our concern for the future generation. In addition, the memorandum indicates areas related to the development of scientific research, educational technologies, conducting joint competitions, and the exchange of coaching staff. ”