Ural Zakirov and Shamil Tarpishchev were awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Kazan”

(KZN.RU, June 6, Alsu Safina). Ural Zakirov, an honored researcher and creator of space technology, and Shamil Tarpishchev, the president of the Tennis Federation of Russia, were awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Kazan”. This decision was made today by deputies at the XXVII session of the Kazan City Duma.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, introduced the deputies as candidates for awarding the honorary title. “These are people who have worked for many years for the benefit of Russia, Tatarstan, and Kazan. They glorify them with their deeds, deserved the authority and respect among the residents of the city, republic”, said the Mayor.

Ural Zakirov is an Honored researcher and creator of space technology, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Leading Researcher of the Department of Astronomy and Space Geodesy of the Kazan Federal University, Honorary Member of the Tsiolkovsky Academy of Cosmonautics.

He is awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Kazan” for active public activities and a significant contribution to the development of fundamental science and domestic space exploration.

Ilsur Metshin said that Ural Zakirov worked as a leading engineer of the legendary design bureau of Sergey Korolev. “He is a pioneer in domestic space exploration, he was among the engineers who designed the first manned satellite, participated in the creation and launch of the spacecraft “Vostok”, on which the first manned flight to space was made. He worked under the guidance of outstanding scientists, the founders of Russian cosmonautics. Ural Zakirov lectured the first group of cosmonauts, including Yuri Gagarin”, said I. Metshin. In the late 1970s, Ural Zakirov moved to Kazan and worked at the Kazan Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences until 2010.

“For many years, Ural Zakirov has been conducting scientific research and teaching activities in the KFU and is helping to strengthen Kazan's status among Russian space cities, attracting young people to the aerospace industry”, said I. Meshin. Ural Zakirov has the honorary title of the Federation of Cosmonautics of Russia “Honored Constructor of Space Technology", "Honored Tester of Space Technology”, awarded with medals of S. Korolev, M. Keldysh, and with the gold medal of Y. Gagarin.

Shamil Tarpischev, the president of the Tennis Federation of Russia, tennis player, coach, was awarded an honorary title for a significant contribution to the development of physical culture and sports and the implementation of socially significant projects in Kazan.

Ilsur Metshin recalled that Sh. Tarpischev repeatedly became the winner of Russian and international competitions, three times he was among the top ten tennis players of the USSR. “During many years of coaching, Shamil Tarpischev brought up several generations of talented Russian tennis players, multiple prize-winners of international competitions, including Evgeny Kafelnikov, Anastasia Myskina, Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva, and Marat Safin. He was the personal trainer of Boris Yeltsin, the first President of the Russian Federation”, said the Mayor. Shamil Tarpischev made the national team one of the strongest in the world. According to the Mayor, Shamil Tarpischev is doing a lot to support young talented athletes and develop sports. The Tennis Academy in the capital of Tatarstan has the name of Tarpischev.

The names of Ural Zakirov and Shamil Tarpishchev will be included in the book “Honorary Citizens of Kazan”. They will receive certificates, badges “Honorary Citizen of Kazan” on the ribbon and reduced copies of the sign in a solemn atmosphere on the City Day.