From September 28 to 30, the main sports-business event of the year took place — the 10th International Sports Forum "Russia — Country of sports".

The events of the forum were held at venues in Kemerovo, Belov, Novokuznetsk and Sheregesh. The forum brought together the executive authorities of Russian regions, sports federations, business representatives, the expert community, leaders of the sports industry and the media. The business program included 54 events with the participation of more than 250 speakers — round tables, strategic sessions, networking, conferences aimed at popularizing physical culture and sports, supporting Russian athletes. The key issues were digitalization and import substitution in the sports industry.

One of the main events of the forum was the plenary session on the topic “We are together. Sport. New Reality”, which took place on September 29, 2022 at the Kuzbass Ice Palace. It was attended by Aide to the President of Russia Igor Levitin, Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin, Governor of the Kemerovo Region Sergei Tsivilev, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Stanislav Pozdnyakov, Minister of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Kovalchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Beketzhan Zhumakhanov. Yury Borzakovsky, Deputy Chairman of the Commission of Athletes of the Russian Olympic Committee, Veronika Skvortsova, Head of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, Umar Kremlev, President of the International Boxing Association, and other representatives of the Russian and foreign sports community joined via videoconference. The total number of participants in the plenary session was more than 900 people.

Within the framework of the forum, the international exhibition “Modern Sport. Innovations and Prospects”, which was attended by leading sports associations and federations, manufacturers of sports equipment, inventory, clothing, footwear, accessories, food, dealer companies and retail chains. On an area of ​​six thousand square meters. meters, more than 110 exhibitors were involved at 61 stands. About 50 Russian companies were presented as part of the exposition dedicated to import substitution. At the forum, as part of the pitching session, an expert jury selected the best sports startups. The competition was organized by the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation, the initiators were the ANO "Forum "Sports Country" and ANO "Digital economy".

The country's first digital center was opened in Kemerovo, which combines classic sports and e-sports. In the Olympic Glory Park, Kuzbass Governor Sergei Tsivilev, Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin and famous Russian athletes planted an alley of Siberian cedars.

We are grateful to Kuzbass for organizing the forum. The experience of the region in the creation and management of facilities, as well as the development of sports in general, should be in demand, I hope all regions will carefully study it. Russia is a sports country, and the motto of the forum is “We are together. Sport” as never before symbolizes the need to share experience and support each other. This is the key to the successful development of Russian sports as a self-sufficient system. 

Said Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin.

Also during the forum, Matitsyn, together with the Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Igor Levitin, took part in the video conference in the opening of 11 new sports facilities in 10 regions of the country, including Kursk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Bryansk and Sverdlovsk regions, Krasnodar Territory, Tatarstan, Chuvashia, North Ossetia and Adygea.

At the forum, we discuss the problems that have arisen in our economy after the imposition of sanctions, and efforts aimed at solving the difficulties not only of athletes, coaches, specialists, but also of the sports industry. Those backlogs that exist in our industry, which we see, are impressive. But we need to ensure that we have a fully import-independent sports industry.

Levitin stressed.

In total, 4,600 people were registered for the forum, including 2,400 participants in the business program. The events were attended by 38 foreigners from 14 countries, six heads and deputy heads of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, 45 ministers of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, 81 heads of sports federations, 14 Olympic champions.

Now we can say with confidence that the forum in Kuzbass has become productive and useful for all participants. 5,000 participants from Russia and foreign countries came to Siberia to discuss the most pressing issues in the development of world sports and find ways to solve global challenges. The program was as rich and varied as possible. The forum was held in 5 cities of the region. 

We tried to create the most comfortable conditions for work and leisure. So that the guests get to know the versatility and color of the Kuznetsk land better and take away only pleasant memories from Kuzbass.

Said Sergey Tsivilev, Governor of the Kemerovo Region.

The forum was supported by 19 media partners from the federal media, and more than 160 media representatives took part in its coverage.