Pavel Tsoroyev, Nazran. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
The Paralympic torch relay has passed through Ingushetia. The republic was chosen for the event among all constituents of the NCFD.
Athletes started the relay from the Tower of Consent, a hundred-meter monumental building which is an analogue of historical architectural monuments in the Dzheirakh Region. Along with a Hero of Russia Ruslan Nalgiyev, a holder of Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Zlina Arsanova and other representatives of Ingushetia, participants of the relay were athletes from all constituents of the NCFD, five people from each region. Guardians of the torch were accompanied by guys and girls wearing ethnic costumes. They headed to the Tower of Consent, where the hostess of the house – a treasurer – lit a chip from a mantel chain and took it to an oil lamp.
According to the Head of Ingushetia Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, the significant event will encourage the development of Paralympic sport in the region.
“The Paralympic movement is developed much better in the central part of Russia than in the south. Many champions represented central regions. But in recent time sport among disabled people has been developing rapidly in the NCFD. I became a disabled person 24 years ago in a car accident. I was involved in sport deeply – service in a sport squadron, the Physical Education Department, teaching physical education at school,” Sergei Zapichenko, a representative of the Stavropol Territory, says. “When I became a disabled person, I didn’t quit and continued being an athlete. I participated in the wheelchair basketball championship of Russia. In the last 6 years I have been involved with table tennis.”
“Dreams come true: the Paralympic torch relay is in Ingushetia. The most difficult thing for a disabled person is to go outside and lead an active lifestyle. I made my first step and went in for sport. I have many times won competitions and took first place,” Rustan Dudarkiyev, a participant of the disabled peoples' festival Sochi-2012 stated. “Moral courage is not limited. I have been a disabled person since childhood. There 5-7 people in the republic who could join our team.”
