Miory Regional Executive Committee
On November 14, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko visited the renovated "Traktor" stadium and familiarized himself with the infrastructure of the capital's Park of Culture and Recreation named after the 50th Anniversary of the Great October. The head of state had planned to visit here slightly earlier, on the Day of the October Revolution, but due to the President's tight schedule, another date had to be found for the event – it fell on the first day of operation of the reconstructed stadium and the adjacent park. Why Alexander Lukashenko pays special attention to these facilities, what "debt" he reminded the capital authorities and his plenipotentiary representative for Minsk about, where the growth points for Belarusian sports are, and how the presidential race is proceeding in Belarus – details in our article.
About the "debt" and gifts for the people
Upon arriving at the park, the President immediately reminded the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Vladimir Kukharev, and the Head of State's authorized representative in Minsk, Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova, about the "debt". First of all, he stressed, it is necessary to complete work at the "Motovelozavod" site, where a city technopark will soon emerge.
"This is very important. Because social facilities are good, but we need production facilities to earn money," Alexander Lukashenko pointed out.
As reported to the Head of State, work is progressing ahead of schedule. On the factory site, where nearly a hundred residents have located their production facilities, equipment installation is already underway. The facility will be ready in early 2025, and they are prepared to present it to the President even earlier.
"Let's agree that we will give them a little push so they can set up their equipment faster. And somewhere before the elections, we will gift it to the people. I think we will manage in January," Alexander Lukashenko said.
Also, according to him, it is necessary to complete the construction of the MAZ bus manufacturing plant and the National Exhibition Center in the coming months. "The idea was to time its opening with the All-Belarusian People's Assembly. But let's see. It needs to be done properly. We will evaluate the quality and display the best goods and products there," the Head of State noted.
About the park for the people
The Park named after the 50th Anniversary of the Great October is the second largest in the Belarusian capital (total area 68 hectares). Only Victory Park is larger than it, with an area of 110 hectares.
"It's a long-standing park. I constantly drove past it, came here many times, and went to the stadium," Alexander Lukashenko noted.
The "Traktor" stadium is located in the park, and next to it the national football stadium has already been practically completed. "Thank you to China and
"But the main thing is the park. It is an old park, built for the people. A public park, a good park," the President emphasized.
"We have completely restored it. We made the surface hard and fully updated the lighting. People come and are satisfied. There are very many visitors. And there are many children: we have installed playgrounds. Residential areas are located both to the right and to the left. Everyone comes here because there is no such location elsewhere," Vladimir Kukharev said.
"Why not come? It is very convenient here. The only requirement is that order must be maintained here," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
The President pays special attention to these facilities for good reason. First, as the head of state has already noted, they have a long history. Second, considerable funds were invested in their reconstruction. Minsk is constantly being renewed and improving, but all of this requires significant funding. "The cost of all works (which included non-budgetary funds: we involved organizations and enterprises) amounted to approximately two and a half million," the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee noted.
The Park named after the 50th Anniversary of the Great October was reconstructed this year. As informed to the President, special attention during the park's renovation was paid to the availability of children's play areas and physical culture and health facilities: volleyball and mini-football courts, streetball and workout zones, skateboarding areas, and outdoor fitness equipment.
In addition to the stadium, another sports facility is located in the park – the Specialized Children and Youth School of Olympic Reserve for Artistic Gymnastics and Acrobatics of the Main Directorate of Sports and Tourism of the Minsk City Executive Committee. Here, Alexander Lukashenko spoke with young gymnasts and coaches. "We need results. Everything depends on the coach. If there is no result, it is time to say goodbye and promote the younger generation," the head of state emphasized.
About Football Prospects
Upon entering the stadium, the President first addressed Nikolai Sherstnev, Chairman of the "Belarusian Football Federation" Association, with a single question: "When, Nikolai Nikolaevich? When? I have just one question for you."
The Head of State, like many fans across the country, was primarily interested in when Belarusian footballers would begin demonstrating a high level of play. In response, the Chairman of the Association stated that, for example, the Belarusian women's national team had passed the qualification tournament for Euro 2025 without a single loss. And the men's team in the UEFA Nations League trails its group leader, Northern Ireland, by only one point.
"Now you're going to talk about beach soccer..." – the President countered. But Nikolai Sherstnev clarified that this falls under the responsibility of another federation.
However, Alexander Lukashenko demanded that everything be consolidated within a single structure. "Make sure it is all together. There is no need to divide anything here," – the Head of State pointed out, citing Russia as an example, where, at the initiative of President Vladimir Putin, many sports were merged into unified federations. "A huge country like Russia! And look at their results. We also need to take a look here, setting aside all personal ambitions, so that we have a united fist," – the Belarusian leader set the task.
Noting the presence of good conditions in the country for engaging in various sports, including football, the Head of State drew attention to the insufficient physical conditioning of domestic footballers. In this regard, the President asked Nikolai Sherstnev, Chairman of the "Belarusian Football Federation" Association, what measures are being taken to address this issue. He explained that corresponding work is underway, primarily organized at the children's and youth sports level.
"Starting this year, we have fully restored the training system beginning at age 7. As of today, we have already established republican-level championships for ages 9–10, 11–12, and 13–14, and these championships are already underway, meaning that a foundation for training has been formed in children's football. – he said. – Next is the level of coaching work to ensure proper training loads. Because if you do not develop speed, technical skills, and endurance during childhood, then sl
The Future of Sports in Minsk
At the stadium, the head of state was briefed on the overall landscaping of Minsk and the development of sports infrastructure in the city. According to Vladimir Kukharev, conditions are being created in the city so that its residents can engage in sports and physical activity. In particular, parks and green zones are being landscaped, where one can rest and spend time beneficially for health. Over the past two years, construction has been completed for three parks: Hugo Chavez Park in Kamennaya Gorka, M. Ya. Pavlov Park in the Moscow District (near the student village), and the Apple Grove near the First National Trading House.
Furthermore, until recently, Minsk still had a considerable number of local green spaces that were not landscaped. The district administrations of the capital undertook to address this issue, systematically restoring several such sites each year. Consequently, over a three-year period, 64 recreational areas have been developed in Minsk, enjoying widespread popularity among both residents and visitors to the capital. "Very commendable," the head of state noted.
The conversation also addressed the further expansion of the city's cycling infrastructure. At present, according to the Chairman of the City Executive Committee, Minsk boasts 293 km of dedicated cycling lanes. Over the upcoming five-year period, plans call for adding another 85 km. This will bring the total network to over 380 km, enabling cyclists to travel from any residential area to any destination within the city. "This is important. We have preserved and continue to develop our motor-bicycle plant. Use bicycles for transportation," the President noted.
In the future, the development of residential courtyard sports grounds in Minsk is planned to continue. Currently, there are 344 of them, of which 255 have been fully restored over the past three years. This work is planned to be completed in 2025.
Furthermore, over the preceding two years, ski tracks with artificial snow have been equipped in every district of Minsk. "Last year, all nine venues were already provided with snow, and people were engaged in activities," Vladimir Kukharev explained, adding that four roller skiing tracks also operate in the capital.
According to the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, all school stadiums in the city are also open to residents (they are located in each of the 245 schools in Minsk), and they can be visited until late evening. "Children should take their parents there," the Head of State advised.
Additional opportunities for practicing various sports are also available at city facilities. For example, the under-stand rooms of the "Dinamo" stadium are equipped with a shooting range and a climbing wall. Tennis courts have been commissioned on Zhudro Street.
"It was a somewhat delayed project. But everything has been brought up to standard there, eight courts: four with artificial (surface. - BelTA note.) and four with clay," the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee reported. In this regard, the President drew attention to the fact that visiting this facility, while maintaining its accessibility, should not be free, since significant budget funds are spent in Belarus on preparing athletes, including tennis players, on creating sports infrastructure, providing teaching and coaching staff, and so on. "Tennis players become millionaires for free. And practically no one helps… Therefore, if you want to play, pay. Or make an agreement (conclude. - Note.). Once you become wealthy, make a contribution," Alexander Lukashenko set the task.
As was reported, nine inter-school stadiums have been equipped in Minsk (one in each district of the city), featuring a football field with artificial turf, running tracks, and sports training equipment. "Footballers were all complaining: here are hockey rinks and the like," Alexander Lukashenko noted, emphasizing that opportunities for playing football have been created in every district of Minsk. "Go and play".
In the next year p
Furthermore, a decision has been made to construct a 2.5 km roller skiing track in the "Medvezhino" forest area, complete with a biathlon shooting range. According to Vladimir Kukharev, this project was discussed jointly with Darya Domracheva.
The President was greeted at the stadium with a small surprise: Minister of Sports and Tourism Sergey Kovalchuk presented archival photographs featuring the head of state. One photo shows Alexander Lukashenko during a match at the "Traktor" stadium alongside the opposing team, while another depicts the President’s previous visit to this sports facility.
On the field, Alexander Lukashenko also spoke with coaches and young female footballers of the "Minsk" club. He recounted how he used to play this sport and how he injured his knee during one of the matches. In turn, the athletes requested that the head of state sign a ball, which will now take a place of honor in the club museum.
About Student Construction Brigades and the BRSM's Key Priority
Eleven combined student construction brigades participated in the reconstruction of the "Traktor" stadium, comprising approximately 200 young people. The work was carried out over a period of two years.
The President noted that experience gained in a construction brigade lasts a lifetime. Alexander Lukashenko himself was once a member of a student construction brigade, and his memories of it remain entirely positive, despite the demanding nature of the work. "A student who has served in a construction brigade becomes a completely different person. Absolutely different," the head of state stated.
"Your student construction brigade movement can be said to be your strong suit. This is undeniable. And you must further develop those areas that you can master and that are needed by the people," Alexander Lukashenko said.
The President also mentioned the charitable and volunteer movement of the BRSM, specifically assistance to elderly people. "This is a worthy cause," he emphasized. "You should take these initiatives upon yourselves and develop them – what is truly needed by the people. This is the foundation."
Students invited the Head of State to the All-Belarusian Gathering of Student Construction Brigades, which will take place in December of this year. Alexander Lukashenko noted that meetings with construction brigade members are very meaningful to him, as they provide an opportunity to reminisce about his student years. At the same time, the President cautioned that he cannot guarantee his attendance at this event: it is the end of the year and his schedule is currently very demanding. "If circumstances permit, I will gladly visit your 'family'," he said.
Another notable area of activity within the BRSM is youth public order patrols. Alexander Lukashenko endorsed the development of this initiative: "This is highly appropriate. We must maintain order on the streets ourselves, you yourselves. We need to preserve and even strengthen the level of order we currently have. I repeat once more: this is for you and your children. Especially for children. When foreigners visit us, they remark: listen, in Belarus you can take a child to a park, leave them there, and no one will harm them. This is highly valuable. It comes at a significant cost."
Growth Points in Belarusian Sports
During his dialogue with BRSM activists, the Head of State remarked that Belarusian footballers lack adequate physical conditioning. "Our main issue is the physical fitness of athletes. They are physically unprepared to compete at the highest level in certain disciplines. In football, they cannot sustain running from the opening to the final whistle. They cannot maintain a high tempo for 90 minutes. Moreover, they still need to make tactical decisions. Football has become extremely fast-paced," Alexander Lukashenko pointed out.
According to him, the key growth areas for Belarusian sports are small local sports facilities where children train. It is precisely at these venues that coaches should promptly identify promising young talents and recruit them into their training groups. "We already have plenty of such facilities. However, the primary goal is to engage children. Training should begin at the school level, starting at ages 6 to 7. For certain disciplines, such as rhythmic gymnastics, it can start as early as age three," the President noted. "If you miss that critical window of 10 to 15 years, it will become quite difficult later on. It is still possible, but challenging."
The young people asked the Head of State about his most vivid impressions from his football training. The President explained that during his school years, they played football on a village field. In fact, all the children in the village were keen on it, and there were quite a few of them. Alexander Lukashenko continued playing football during his university years.
"However, this has remained with me - these village roots. At that time, I ran a lot and engaged in sports. I wanted to become a football player. But later I injured my knee and switched to ice hockey, - the Head of State noted. - I recommend taking up football, but I do not advise running on asphalt, because over time it invariably takes its toll. And the best, they say, is cycling and swimming. I dislike swimming because it is a very tedious activity. And cycling - with pleasure".
About the electoral campaign
During his visit to the stadium, Alexander Lukashenko also spoke with journalists. First, they asked the President about the progress of the election campaign.
"Yesterday I was informed that more than 700,000 signatures have been collected as of today. Approximately that figure," the head of state said.
The President noted that he has not yet had time to closely follow the election campaign, as at the end of the year a significant number of tasks had accumulated, along with numerous trips both within the country and abroad. In addition, it was necessary to oversee the completion of the harvest campaign.
"People must be fed. We have everything today and even more than we anticipated," Alexander Lukashenko stated. "Agrarians are celebrating their sacred holiday. A huge thank you to them. I did not travel through the 'Dazhynki' events in vain—to thank the people and observe from above how they carry out my directives, particularly how they plow the land and turn over the fallow soil. This is the primary task remaining for us."
Returning to matters concerning the electoral campaign, the President stated that he had proposed already concluding the signature collection in support of his candidacy. However, the Head of the Presidential Administration, Dmitry Krutoy, noted that people should be given the opportunity to support their leader.
"We are not creating unnecessary tension. I have scheduled a conversation with the leadership of the initiative group to thank them for the first stage. And to discuss how we will proceed further. The main thing is that the "alternative candidates" also collect their signatures. But, as I am being informed, people are not very incliut to put a signature for another candidate. This pleases me and gives me serious cause for concern: for me, the most frightening thing is people's trust," the President stated. "- And after 2020, people looked around and thought: we could lose the country, so let's appreciate what we have. And so, based on this, they are going, but not very much, to sign for others."
The head of state also touched upon leaving the presidential race Olga Chemodanova and Sergey Bobrikov.
"I was in favor of all political parties and major public organizations nominating their own candidates. They did so: we had Olya Chemodanova and Bobrikov. Well, decent people. Naturally, they are supporters of the President. And they campaigned: "We know the President will win, but we will not allow him to be offended." As though someone could possibly offend me. Then they looked around: within the organizations they do not fully grasp this (their nomination. - BELTA note). And they said: "It is better that we withdraw." Well, as they informed me. I only found out yesterday that they dropped out of the race. We will strive together for the course that we have long established," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
"There is no fear whatsoever that everyone who wants to will participate. We will no longer allow the country to be bent, brought to its knees, God forbid, or destroyed. That is entirely excluded, no matter how much someone might desire it," the President added.
On presidential qualities
Answering a question about whether a woman can be the head of state, Alexander Lukashenko recalled: "As I told you, one does not become a President – one is born a President."
"A person must naturally possess fundamental qualities that will serve them well as President," the Belarusian leader explained. "- There are many of them. Perhaps one, two, or perhaps all of them. This is very important."
To illustrate his words, Alexander Lukashenko referred to the example of the United States and the recent elections held there, where a woman ran for the office of President. The methods of conducting electoral campaigns there are entirely different. In particular, there were rather sharp, even insulting remarks directed at the female candidate. Alexander Lukashenko stated that if anyone in Belarus had allowed themselves anything similar, they would have lost a significant portion of the electorate.
"But for American society, this is probably normal. They held their elections. Remember, I said even before the elections: America is ready to elect a Black person (there was a Black President), but America is probably not yet ready to elect a woman as President," the head of state noted.
In his opinion, Kamala Harris lost the election largely due to the decisions of the Democratic Party and Joe Biden. "They understood this, and there was no need to set Kamala up. She did what she could – conducted propaganda and campaigning, endured all sorts of mockery, and advanced the Democratic Party," Alexander Lukashenko said. He believes that the Democratic Party could have put forward other, stronger candidates for the election. "The Democratic Party had good candidates, they could have nominated them, and Trump might not have coped with it," he noted.
However, now that the results of the US elections are known and the winner of the presidential race has been identified, it is important that Donald Trump fulfills his pre-election promises, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. "In America, it is easy to make a promise and not fulfill it. This happens everywhere nowadays, but especially there. Nevertheless, he is an experienced figure, a true bulldozer. He pushes forward and… We simply hope it does not worsen the situation for the whole world. After all, it is the leading economy, the leading country, a monopolist, one could say, in all respects, including politics. We just hope he does not overreach. Donald has that tendency – he can get carried away. We would very much like him to make America great again without harming us, without harming the whole world, and without clashing with Russia, China, and everyone else. Extreme caution is required. I believe that his first term (of Trump's presidency. - BELTA note) already taught him this," the Belarusian leader said.
Returning to the topic of a possible female President in Belarus, the head of state noted that this is a very demanding role involving not only representative or protocol functions. In Belarus, the President serves as the Commander-in-Chief. "The US President does not have the same powers as the Russian or Belarusian President. One must delve into all aspects: to provide food and drink… This is extremely hard work," Alexander Lukashenko noted. "There is no need to burden a woman so heavily. This is not a ceremonial position in our country."
"Perhaps over time we will also adopt such a style (as in the US. - BELTA note). But for now, it is different. It is not a feminine style. A woman must remain a woman," the Belarusian leader continued. "Therefore, a woman should not be burdened with such powers and responsibilities. As long as there are female presidents in Belarus – let men hold the office, why burden women?"
"There is no need to shift our duties onto women. I deeply respect women and in no way diminish their role. But they should be by our side so that we can rely on a strong shoulder, as is customary for us," Alexander Lukashenko added.
On the situation in Europe and European politicians
Journalists also asked the head of state for his opinion on the situation in Europe: whether the EU can be notdependent on the United States and develop relations with Russia?
"Maybe. When Trumps appear there, perhaps. Otherwise, there is no one there. Just look. I do not wish to characterize them: that is not good. True, today Americans have already begun showing contempt for Scholz: calling him a 'political lightweight' and so on. God forbid, I do not want to speak like that. He is a son of his people: whatever Germans deserved, whoever they elected, let them work with that. There are no leaders. Everyone is focused on PR, but making decisions and acting - no. But they will come to this. De Gaulls will appear, they will appear," Alexander Lukashenko is convinced. "- And Kohl will also appear, Chirac was a real man, standing up for the people. Now there are none like that, everyone is trembling."
"And why tremble: cheap resources in Russia, technology in Germany. And now the auto industry and aviation - everything is already falling apart. Look where they have brought Europe, instead of being united. Therefore, decisions need to be made and we must move in this direction. Europe has matured for this. Europe needs real leaders who will make decisions and act," the President emphasized.
According to him, Russia is also ready for this. "Why should we - Belarusians, Russians - quarrel with them? They turned the page on World War II, the Great Patriotic War: millions of people perished. We should have moved forward - no, they ran after the Americans. And those think they will sit it out there. Yes, they will not be able to sit it out anymore. Therefore, the situation here is complex, the stakes are serious. But everything is moving toward this. It just takes a little patience, it takes time," the Belarusian leader concluded.
A prime example of a modern European politician (not in the best sense of the term) is the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. Just take his demarche at the climate summit in Baku, for instance.
"One European (if Ryazhenkov had not told me, I would not have known) refused to pose for a photograph ("family photo" at the Baku summit) because Lukashenko was present. No one even noticed it. I simply stood there quietly. The Prime Minister of Pakistan approached, many others came forward, offering respectful greetings. I joined them as well. Well, like a family. No one noticed his absence. Seeing that he had gone unnoticed, he began seeking attention over not joining the photo session. Well then, don't go. Good Lord, who was waiting for you there!" – Alexander Lukashenko noted.
The Head of State also commented on the Polish President's address at the summit: Andrzej Duda spoke about how Poland safeguards its fauna and flora, yet failed once to mention how his country erected a fence in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, resulting in the death of wildlife there. "What terrible things they are doing! They have carved up the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, and he goes on talking about plants. I chose not to confront him there, although I made notes for myself. I thought: well, such conduct is unacceptable," – the President emphasized.
According to him, a similar situation unfolded at the previous climate summit in Dubai. Leaders of world states voiced their concerns about the agenda from the rostrum, yet they remain unprepared to take concrete action. "A natural question arises: where are you? The Americans: walked in, walked out. It is like a thoroughfare. And everyone pretends that everything is fine. As for the UN officials… What was the purpose of holding this event, merely to tick a box? 'Oh, we have assembled, representatives of 200 states.' So what? God will punish them. We must safeguard our own nature," – Alexander Lukashenko urged.
As an example, the Head of State pointed to the landscaping of the capital's parks, including the Park of Culture and Recreation named after the 50th Anniversary of the Great October and Victory Park. "We created a visually appealing image. All parks have been restored. This is our style and our way of life, and we must not stray from it," – the Belarusian leader concluded.