Last week, Vyacheslav Yershov and Vladimir Veselli, First Vice President and Vice President of the All-Russian Sports Federation of Deaf Sports, visited Surgut on a working trip. The purpose of their visit was to attend the opening ceremony of the sporting event "Heroes of Our Time" and discuss current issues in the development of deaf sports in the region.

Representatives of the All-Russian Sports Federation of Sports of the Deaf took part in the opening ceremony of the competitions, held on May 16 at the Yugra Adaptive Sports Centre. The "Heroes of Our Time" program includes competitions in the following disciplines: strength strike, powerlifting, shot put, arm wrestling, table tennis, and archery.

During the event, the Federation's leadership delivered a ceremonial speech, expressing support and gratitude to the participants—veterans of the special military operation.

Among the honoured guests were Eduard Isakov, Deputy Governor of Yugra; Irina Urvantseva and Viktor Sysun, deputies of the regional Duma; as well as Vitaly Malykhin, Deputy Head of Surgut.

Vyacheslav Yershov and Vladimir Veselli also met with Ivan Bragin, a veteran of the special military operation and director of the Sports Youth Olympic Reserve Biathlon School. Their discussion touched on the promotion of deaf sports in the region and possible support from the Federation. Notably, Ivan Bragin lost his hearing during the special military operation.

After the opening ceremony, the Federation representatives toured a separate division of the Yugra Adaptive Sports Centre, held a working meeting with the Centre’s leadership and deaf sports coaches, and spoke with athletes. They discussed current challenges, development strategies, and support measures for deaf sports in the region.

The busy day concluded with an inspection of sports facilities for official events.

Text: Olga Troynikova

Photo: Svyatoslav Antipin

Translation: Daria Kudelina