30 April 2011, 12:00
On Saturday Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, visited Cherkasy region. He attended the football championship in one of the schools of Zolotonosha district. After the competition, Mykola Tomenko awarded the prizes to the winners and discussed the campaign "To be Healthy and Fit is Smart" initiated by the Inter-Faction Group "Healthy and Sporting Ukraine" in Cherkasy region.
Commenting upon the attitude of the authorities towards the development of physical culture, Mykola Tomenko mentioned coverage of the performance of the national team in the World Biathlon Championship, which, according to the Deputy Chairman, is an extreme case of cynicism. Mykola Tomenko addressed the State Committee of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine with a request to support coverage of the Biathlon World Championship in Khanty Mansiysk in Russia.
M.Tomenko stated, "It is not the first world competition, especially in biathlon - Ukrainian winter sports No.1, which is covered by the First National Channel at night." The Deputy Chairman stressed that the World Championship is the most significant event in biathlon this year. M.Tomenko stated that the First National Channel could broadcast the competition at the time suitable for the viewers at least, if not live.
He also singled out two ways to develop grassroots sports: to build new sport facilities and to restore or repair the functioning sport grounds and premises.
The Deputy Chairman admitted, "State preparation for Euro-2012 turned into a campaign of support of big business instead of grassroots sports."
M. Tomenko stressed that his Fund "Ridna Ukraina" assists renovation of functioning sport facilities in regional centers and villages.