OREANDA-NEWS. On 11 June 2008 was announced, that ceremonial celebration in honour of "Sintez" water polo team which is silver champion of Russia in 2007-2008 seasons was held in cultural and entertaining complex "Piramida".

Prime minister of Tatarstan Republic and honoured sport master of Russia - Rustam Minnikhanov; executive secretary of Water polo federation, honoured sport master of USSR, honoured coach of USSR and Olympic champion - Alexander Kabanov; Minister for youth, sport and tourism affairs of Tatarstan Republic - Marat Bariev; Deputy General director of JSC "TAIF" for chemistry and petrochemistry - Rustem Sulteev and certainly President of "Sintez" water polo club, General director JSC "Kazanorgsintez" - Leonid Alekhin, and chief team coach - Vladimir Zakharov spoke congratulations and thanks for excellent game.

As the most speakers noted the second place of this championship costs pure gold at its worth because of team went towards its success in very difficult conditions such as team's member changes, leading water-polo players' injuries and utility men deficiency. That's why what our sportsmen did on the championship is striking example of courage and will to victory demonstration.

This evening team members were awarded Great number of prizes and honoured titles. All members were awarded mark of "Physical training and sport master of Tatarstan Republic" of Ministry for youth, sport and tourism affairs, moreover "Sintez" was awarded memorable cup of Ministry. Team coach Andrei Afanasiev was given the rank of "Honoured coach of Tatarstan Republic". Dmitry Dudkin, Dmitry Elizarov, Vladimir Basik, Pavel Kotkov, Artur Fatkhutdinov were awarded rank of "Sport master of international class" for victory in European Len Trophy Cup.

Thanks sounded not only for water polo players. During the evening it was repeatedly noted that if official team sponsor JSC "Kazanorgsintez" with the support of group of companies "TAIF" and Republic government did not provide the best conditions for normal club's work it was not so important and stable successes during last four years. Hence Alexander Kabanov considered necessary to award medals such important memmers of team as Rustam Minnekhanov, Rustem Sulteev, Leonad Alekhin, Vladimir Zakharov and Irek Zinnurov which couldn't take part in final due to his injury.

The fact that team captain Irek Zinnurov leaves big-time sports gave some sadness. However it is not cause for him to say goodbye to water polo. He plans to be head of worthy sportsmen training for "Sintez"team in future.