On August 17, 2025, the Boxing and Table Tennis Sports Center hosted a table tennis competition among young athletes alongside the traditional amateur tournament “Evening League” of the Table Tennis Federation of Russia (TTFR). Both events were part of the sports program of the III International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”, which was held in Kazan on August 18–19, 2025.
Republic-wide tournament among children’s teams.
The children's competition was attended by 96 athletes divided into 24 teams from nine municipalities of Tatarstan, as well as a team from Yekaterinburg. The tournament was held among players under the age of 16 and became a vivid example of sporting skill and team spirit.
After the matches, the young athletes had a unique opportunity to participate in a master class given by the 2025 Russian table tennis champions and members of the Republic of Tatarstan national team. The program concluded with a solemn award ceremony for the winners and medalists from the guests of honor at the event.
Maria Taylakova, 2025 Russian champion, noted: “It's a great initiative to hold master classes as a part of major tournaments, and in my opinion, it should become a tradition. It was very nice to see children from different cities, give them technical tips, and share the joy of the competition itself. I am very happy that I was invited and that today I was able to share something big!”
Evening League Tournament
In the afternoon, the Evening League tournament took place, which traditionally brings together members of the business community and professional athletes. This year, representatives of the business communities of Tatarstan, leading athletes of the republic, as well as students from the People's Republic of China studying in Kazan took part in it.
A total of 26 participants played in the tournament, forming 13 pairs. In the group stage, all duos were divided into three groups, and only one pair advanced to the final — the leaders in terms of points and game difference.
The tournament was opened by Mr. Zhou Liqun, Chairman of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia and Deputy Chairman of the Chinese-Russian Friendship Society.
Among the participants from the business community were Oleg Moskovsky, President of the Moscow (Russia) – Beijing (China) Interregional Special Equipment Exchange, Damir Natfullin, Deputy Minister of culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, Nazil Nasibullin, Aide to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan for foreign economic activities, and others.
Vladimir Leonov and Maria Taylakova won the tournament, finishing their matches with scores of 1:2 and 2:0.
Vladimir Leonov, Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan, emphasized: “Today was a great day for sports. We started the morning with a traditional golf tournament and ended the evening with tennis. For the second year in a row, we are holding the Evening League ahead of the business program, where guests and partners of the Forum compete alongside professional athletes. Such events strengthen international ties, so we hope that holding the tournament will become a good tradition.”
It is worth noting that the tournament was held with the active participation of spectators. The stands of the Boxing and Table Tennis Sports Center were filled with sports fans — admission was free, which created the atmosphere of a real sporting celebration.
The Evening League is a long-standing and glorious tradition of the Table Tennis Federation of Russia (TTFR), which for many years has brought together businessmen, officials, and athletes at the country’s largest business forums, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The doubles format allowed participants to take a fresh look at table tennis and gave spectators dynamic and spectacular matches. The tournament in Kazan proved once again that sports unite generations and professional communities, strengthening ties and creating an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation.
*****
The Third International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” will be held in Kazan on August 18-19. Participants from 32 countries, 59 regions of Russia, and 24 administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China have registered for the forum. Eleven government delegations and at least 200 Chinese corporations are expected to attend, Mrs. Minullina told. Approximately 10,000 people will participate in the forum.
The business program covers areas such as inter-state dialogue, economics, industry, education, business and entrepreneurship, business associations, finance and investment, culture, media, law, transport, agriculture, tourism, and construction. The program features around 100 events, including 70 business sessions. Around 20 agreements are planned to be signed at the forum.
ANPO Directorate of International Programmes is the operator responsible for preparing and holding the SPROUTS Forum.
Official website of the SPROUTS Forum: https://russiachinaforum.com
Republic-wide tournament among children’s teams.
The children's competition was attended by 96 athletes divided into 24 teams from nine municipalities of Tatarstan, as well as a team from Yekaterinburg. The tournament was held among players under the age of 16 and became a vivid example of sporting skill and team spirit.
After the matches, the young athletes had a unique opportunity to participate in a master class given by the 2025 Russian table tennis champions and members of the Republic of Tatarstan national team. The program concluded with a solemn award ceremony for the winners and medalists from the guests of honor at the event.
Maria Taylakova, 2025 Russian champion, noted: “It's a great initiative to hold master classes as a part of major tournaments, and in my opinion, it should become a tradition. It was very nice to see children from different cities, give them technical tips, and share the joy of the competition itself. I am very happy that I was invited and that today I was able to share something big!”
Evening League Tournament
In the afternoon, the Evening League tournament took place, which traditionally brings together members of the business community and professional athletes. This year, representatives of the business communities of Tatarstan, leading athletes of the republic, as well as students from the People's Republic of China studying in Kazan took part in it.
A total of 26 participants played in the tournament, forming 13 pairs. In the group stage, all duos were divided into three groups, and only one pair advanced to the final — the leaders in terms of points and game difference.
The tournament was opened by Mr. Zhou Liqun, Chairman of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia and Deputy Chairman of the Chinese-Russian Friendship Society.
Among the participants from the business community were Oleg Moskovsky, President of the Moscow (Russia) – Beijing (China) Interregional Special Equipment Exchange, Damir Natfullin, Deputy Minister of culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, Nazil Nasibullin, Aide to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan for foreign economic activities, and others.
Vladimir Leonov and Maria Taylakova won the tournament, finishing their matches with scores of 1:2 and 2:0.
Vladimir Leonov, Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan, emphasized: “Today was a great day for sports. We started the morning with a traditional golf tournament and ended the evening with tennis. For the second year in a row, we are holding the Evening League ahead of the business program, where guests and partners of the Forum compete alongside professional athletes. Such events strengthen international ties, so we hope that holding the tournament will become a good tradition.”
It is worth noting that the tournament was held with the active participation of spectators. The stands of the Boxing and Table Tennis Sports Center were filled with sports fans — admission was free, which created the atmosphere of a real sporting celebration.
The Evening League is a long-standing and glorious tradition of the Table Tennis Federation of Russia (TTFR), which for many years has brought together businessmen, officials, and athletes at the country’s largest business forums, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The doubles format allowed participants to take a fresh look at table tennis and gave spectators dynamic and spectacular matches. The tournament in Kazan proved once again that sports unite generations and professional communities, strengthening ties and creating an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation.
*****
The Third International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” will be held in Kazan on August 18-19. Participants from 32 countries, 59 regions of Russia, and 24 administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China have registered for the forum. Eleven government delegations and at least 200 Chinese corporations are expected to attend, Mrs. Minullina told. Approximately 10,000 people will participate in the forum.
The business program covers areas such as inter-state dialogue, economics, industry, education, business and entrepreneurship, business associations, finance and investment, culture, media, law, transport, agriculture, tourism, and construction. The program features around 100 events, including 70 business sessions. Around 20 agreements are planned to be signed at the forum.
ANPO Directorate of International Programmes is the operator responsible for preparing and holding the SPROUTS Forum.
Official website of the SPROUTS Forum: https://russiachinaforum.com