Gazprom opens Russia and Europe’s largest Table Tennis Center in Orenburg
Orenburg hosted today a ceremonial opening of the Russian Table Tennis Center built within the Gazprom for Children program. Taking part in the event were Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Yuri Berg, Governor of the Orenburg Region.
“Today is a special day for table tennis in Russia. The Russian Table Tennis Center – the largest one in Europe and in our country – has been opened in Orenburg.
It is no coincidence that it was built here, in Orenburg. Thousands of children go in for table tennis in the Orenburg Region. And one of Europe's strongest tennis clubs – Fakel Gazproma – is based in Orenburg.
In 2007 when I met with the Fakel Gazproma club players and management it was resolved that a Table Tennis Center in Orenburg should come into being! I am glad that we could fulfill everything we planned. There is a spacious building with the best equipment installed. Children and adults, amateurs and professionals will have an opportunity to exercise in it – almost a thousand people every day. It is of great importance that its doors are open for disabled people as well. Moreover, the Center is an excellent ground for competitions of the highest level.
The Table Tennis Center was built as part of the Gazprom for Children program. I am sure that future Olympic and Paralympic champions will be raised within these walls. New names will appear here and we will be proud of them. The new Center will help fulfill the task of national importance – to foster the aspiration of the youth to sports and healthy lifestyle,” said Alexey Miller.
During the visit Alexey Miller and Yuri Berg signed the Development Program for gas supply to and gasification of the Orenburg Region through to 2016.
Background
The Russian Table Tennis Center holds 36 tennis tables, up to 960 people a day may exercise there. A children's and youth table tennis sports school will be based in the Center.
The high-class equipment of the Center makes it possible to train future Olympians here, and conformity with international standards allows to hold competitions among the world's strongest tennis players under the authority of the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU).
The Fakel Gazproma table tennis club in Orenburg was established on October 20, 2001. Fakel Gazproma is the winner of the European Champions League (2012), holder of the Gazprom European Super Cup (2012), winner of the European Table Tennis Union Cup (2010), five times Champion of Russia (2012, 2011, 2008, 2006, 2005) and three times winner of the Russian Cup.
From 2007 to 2012 within the Gazprom for Children program the Company allotted over RUB 1.2 billion to the reconstruction of sports facilities of Gazprom's subsidiary companies operating in the Orenburg Region as well as the construction of 32 versatile sports grounds and playgrounds.
