Alexey Miller: Academy of Table Tennis in Orenburg to bring together young talents from across Russia

Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, met with representatives of the Fakel-Gazprom table tennis club (Orenburg) today. Taking part in the meeting was Igor Levitin, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation.

In last season's competitions, Fakel-Gazprom took its eleventh Russian Champion title, and this is a result no Russian team has ever reached before.

“Being eleven-time champions of Russia is, as we say at Gazprom, an all-time record. It is highly important that the Fakel-Gazprom team sets a great example for the younger generation. Your achievements make people be proud of you, they look up to you. Your splendid victories inspire children and youth to play table tennis, set ambitious goals for themselves and achieve excellent results.

In 2013, we opened the Russian Table Tennis Center in Orenburg, which has prepared many splendid tennis players since then. Now, Orenburg will also become home to the Academy of Table Tennis. We intend to gather young talents from across Russia in the Academy and train them to be true professionals, best of the best, and the pride of Russian table tennis,” said Alexey Miller.

Viktor Andreev, senior coach of the club, talked about the club's development plans.