Belarus attends SCO meeting to discuss sport interaction, sport integration, coach training

MINSK, 1 May (BelTA) – Matters of advancing cooperation in the field of physical training and sport within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) were discussed at a meeting between a delegation of the SCO Secretariat and Belarusian Sports Minister Sergei Kovalchuk on 1 May, the SCO headquarters told BelTA.

During the conversation specific matters of advancing cooperation in the field of physical training and sport within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization were discussed, including the promotion of joint initiatives.

The meeting took place in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan on the sidelines of the 5th conference of heads of ministries and agencies of SCO member states in charge of developing physical training and sport.

The heads of the delegations thoroughly exchanged views on cooperation in the field of high-performance sport, the development of sport integration, the training of coaching personnel, and the popularization of national and traditional sports.

The meeting was chaired by Director of the State Agency for Physical Culture and Sport under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Urmat Asanbaev. In particular, he remarked upon the importance of promoting physical culture among the population and expanding interaction between SCO member states in sport.

In his speech SCO Deputy Secretary General Oleg Kopylov emphasized that the organization acts not only as a platform for political dialogue but also as a mechanism for developing humanitarian ties, including sport cooperation, which helps strengthen mutual understanding between nations.

The need to improve the institutional framework for interaction was noted, including in the context of adopting provisions on the working group on physical training and sport of SCO member states.

The importance of the recently adopted regulations on the international sport competition SCO Open Cup was emphasized. The implementation of the provisions will contribute to expanding practical interaction and strengthening friendly ties between member states.