Russian star athletes present innovative sports portal in Kazan

(KZN.RU, December 27, by Taisiya Basharkina) Kazan was chosen as a pilot site to test the new innovative sports project IGcontest.com aimed at the development of children's sports. The presentation of this unique project and the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with the Mayor's Office was held in Kazan City Hall. The presentation was attended by Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, President of the National Foundation for the Development of Mass Sports Alexandr Chernozubo, Olympic Games prize winners – Dmitry Sautin, Yevgeny Podgorny, Anna Pavlova and Anton Golotsutskov.

IGcontest.com will make it possible to conduct virtual sports tournaments anywhere in the world in real time. The portal was launched in test mode in December 2013. Since its launch, the site has gained explosive popularity: it has been visited by 330,000 people, 550 participants from 24 countries submitting their videos.

To participate in virtual competitions, one must video his/her athletic performance and send it to the site where its quality will be evaluated by an independent judge.

It is noteworthy that the project was developed by Kazan experts. According to the President of the National Foundation for the Development of Mass Sports, it is Kazan that will promote this world-wide project.

"Although we are the Sports Capital of Russia and have hosted the 2013 Universiade, we did not think that our sports could go so far. But thanks to IT, this project provides opportunities for participants from around the world. This inspires and surprises," said Ilsur Metshin.

Apart from tournaments, an important aspect of the project is sport education. The Gymnopedia IGContest and Divingpedia IGContest applications have been developed for mobile devices, which are unique teaching aids in gymnastics and diving.

"The number of those wishing to play sports after the Universiade is growing. This is a very important project for amateur and professional athletes. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel to international competitions, but, thanks to the portal, they can learn from Olympic champions who live in different parts of the world," concluded I. Metshin.

The Mayor and President of the National Foundation for the Development of Mass Sports Alexandr Chernozubov signed a memorandum of cooperation between the City of Kazan and the IGcontest.com project. In the framework of planned training sessions, where coaches and Kazan sports school students will learn about the service capabilities.  Their participation in online competitions is planned for later.