Akhmet Palankoev: "Tourists from other regions will visit the North Caucasus"

Interview by Oleg Kusov. Especially for Vestnik Kavkaza

On December 18 Moscow's stadium "Arena Opening" hosted the presentation of the award "Sports facilities. The results of the year." The event was organized by SportsFacilities magazine together with the Ministry of Sports. More than 50 of the best sporting facilities of the country competed for the award. This award recognizes the best sports facilities built in recent years in Russia. Among the nominees are such structures as "Arena Khimki", "Sochi Circuit", "Achmat Arena", "Pearl of Siberia," the "Athletics Arena" in Tyumen and many others. Deputy Minister of Sports of Russia Pavel Novikov thanked the organizers and participants of the ceremony, who, according to him, also contributed to the implementation of the Federal Target Program "Development of physical culture and sports in Russia for 2006-2015". The purpose of this program is to popularize sports among Russians. The water-sports complex "Chayka" of the "Armkhi" ski resort won in the "pool" category. The complex was opened in the summer of 2014 and within a few months hosted a lot of sporting events at nationwide level. Modern technology, compliance with international standards and exotic natural conditions are the main distinguishing features of the complex. The award was presented by Senator Akhmed Palankoev of Ingushetia. After the ceremony Akhmet Palankoev gave an exclusive interview to Vestnik Kavkaza.

- Akhmet Magomedovich, we congratulate you on this high award. How important is the "Armkhi" complex and its swimming pool to Ingushetia and the North Caucasus?

- Apart from the fact that the pool is in a beautiful location, it can be enjoyed by locals. But I think that it is important not only for the North Caucasus, but for the whole country. Because this is the only pool which is at an altitude of about 1500 meters above sea level. And both regional and national swimming teams can train in the pool. It was originally intended to host training of professional athletes.

- In Ingushetia wrestling and similar kinds of sports are believed to be traditional. Winter sports are less developed. When creating the "Armkhi" ski resort, did you specifically focus on winter sports?

- Indeed, earlier wrestling was the most popular kind of sport in our country. This is so due to national traditions and the opportunities that were here - gyms and other facilities. Winter sports and water sports are still expensive in terms of construction and so on. Therefore, until now they were not so popular. But we are pioneers. I think that winter sports will become popular. And today we have already noticed that more and more people want to come here.

- Including visitors from other regions of Russia?

- First of all, our customers are from Ingushetia and Ossetia, as the ski resort is a 20-minute drive from Vladikavkaz. "Armkhi" can become a weekend resort, people can come here in the evening after work or school. But I think visitors not only from the regions of the North Caucasus, but other regions of Russia will come here eventually. People who engage in snowboarding, skiing, they are curious and active, they are always ready to see new places, we are also looking forward to them.

- Is the complex built in the framework of some special program or was it your initiative or the initiative of your colleagues?

- The history of the complex was as follows. As you know, Ingushetia joined the project "Resorts of the North Caucasus", but the truth is the procedure of registration of documents was very long. And this complex is built entirely on private money, thanks to private investment. We have built a complex so that skiing can be actively developed. We are gradually preparing specialists who will work here and the clients who will enjoy this resort. And of course we could not wait to launch the project as soon as possible. And, of course, the final decision was not made without a contribution from the head of the republic, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. That's how it all began.

The "Armkhi" resort is built in Ingushetia's Dzheyrahsky Gorge. The gorge is part of the Central Caucasus. It is very exotic and provides unique health benefits.