Mikhail Nikolaev’s idea to hold large-scale Games in Yakutsk in the 1990s was not immediately accepted by everyone. Yet his associates and colleagues supported the President of Yakutia, realizing that it was in a difficult period that it was necessary to remember and cherish the most important thing in life that matters and that was the children, their dreams and aspirations for the best. Vyacheslav Shtyrov, previously President of ALROSA and now the State Counselor of the Sakha Republic shared his memories of the preparations for the first Games with us.
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– In addition to everyday concerns about reforming and maintaining the socio economic sphere in the conditions of revolutionary transformations that took place in Russia and the republic in the 1990s, the f irst President of the Sakha Republic Mikhail Nikolaev did not neglect and paid great attention to the development of spirituality. He considered spirituality as a condition for the dynamic development of our republic.
That is why the culture and art of our republic, librarianship and book publishing, television and radio broadcasting received a powerful boost. However, Mikhail Nikolaev paid a special attention to the youth, their spiritual development based on our historical heritage and revealing the creative potential of young people. A lot was 56 done in this direction. Still, I believe that the decision of the first President to hold the Children of Asia International Sports Games in Yakutia came as a surprise to many people. After all, let’s remember the 1990s, that was the time of decline, the collapse of the national economy, the loss of on-farm links. Everything that was happening in the economy could not but influence the society as a whole, it was in a depressed state. The young generation was largely left to itself, which entailed a number of unfavorable consequences.
And now, in these difficult times, such an initiative came about. Now, after years, we can say with certainty that this decision was absolutely correct and well timed. Holding competitions of this level not only promoted popularization of healthy lifestyle and sports activities among the younger generation, but also established new sports ties, strengthened peace and friendship relations. However, most importantly, the Children of Asia Games were a stronghold of hope and unity, which was necessary at that time for our society.
ALROSA company at that time, of course, supported the decision of our President to hold the international games, helped in every possible way: financially, organizationally, in the construction of new social facilities, in the training of athletes to participate in the competitions. Although ALROSA was in a very difficult situation at that time, the company had a difficult financial situation. We should not forget that in those years ALROSA was also the most taxable company in the world, since up to 95 percent of its income was spent on taxes, including to the budget of Yakutia. At the same time, we were well aware that the republic had no one but us to rely on, so we did everything possible to hold the international games in the republic. And the first games became a real success of our republic and a confirmation of the absolute correctness of the course of the first President of the republic in supporting youth.
Much later, when I was elected president of the republic, I remember how many young people, often on the street, approached me to ask whether the tradition of holding the Children of Asia International Sports Games would be continued. Their eyes were burning with a great desire for them to take place. Of course, it was decided to hold the third and subsequent competitions. Over time, we formed a sports calendar with a four-year cycle of competitions in the republic. The Sports Games of the Nations of the Sakha Republic followed the Children of Asia Games the next year. Another year later, the Vasily Manchary Republic’s Games in traditional sports were held. The fourth year was reserved for holding Russian championships or other federal sports events in our republic. I would like to emphasize that Mikhail Nikolaev was always personally present at all major sporting events held in our republic. He took part in the opening ceremonies, watched the competitions themselves, awarded the champions, and consoled the defeated. He was very happy that the good tradition he had laid down was continuing.
It is very important that even today much attention is paid to the development of spirituality, youth policy and sports competitions in the republic. This is a very important direction for a healthy lifestyle, development of mass physical culture and sports. After all, in order for them to be interested in sports, strengthening their health, they need to strive for something: to achieve, to win, to prove to themselves and others their abilities and skills. After all, it is in the nature of young people. Therefore, participation in such large scale competitions is a dream for many people, which is difficult to achieve and to which one should strive. All this educates our young generation, makes it strong physically and spiritually, and thus prepares it for future discoveries and victories on the sports and labor front.
