| Achong Tanjong |
THE Russian Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, Game On Business Management and Services, Royal Brunei Recreational Club (RBRC), and The Collective Art Events yesterday kicked off World Cup Weekend, a two-day event dedicated to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia held at the Indah Hall of the RBRC in Berakas.
World Cup Weekend, officially launched by Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Brunei Darussalam Vladlen Semivolos, provides a unique opportunity for Bruneian football fans to learn more about the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and marks another step in the strengthening of the friendship and cooperation between the people of Russia and Brunei Darussalam.
In his speech at the event launching yesterday, the ambassador said that he hopes many Bruneian spectators will visit Russia to experience the celebration of sport and discover his beautiful country.
He said Russia attaches great importance to hosting the championships this year, which is not only a major event for the country, but also a global celebration of sport – an event which will be followed closely and with great anticipation by the whole international community.
The largest venue during the tournament is the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, with a total seating capacity of 81,000.
It will host the opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia as well as the final on July 15.
Semivolos highlighted that to ease the travel of visitors to Russia, the Russian Government has introduced a personalised visitor card – otherwise known as the FAN ID – which allows foreign citizens to enter Russia without a visa from June 4 until July 25, and gives them the right to free transportation in the host cities on match days.
Admission-free trains will also operate on 30 routes between the host cities during the World Cup. The ambassador added that in total, Russia will be spending around USD11.5 billion for the tournament preparations.
He said that as part of World Cup Weekend, the Russian Embassy is also staging an exhibition called ‘Russia-The Host Country of the 2018 FIFA World Cup’ at the RBRC in Berakas.
The exhibition provides information on the host cities, match venues, match schedules, as well as the various tourist attractions in Russia, and is dedicated to 27 years of Russia-Brunei relations.
The main activity taking place during World Cup Weekend is the PS4 FIFA World Cup 2018 tournament.
Tournament prizes, provided by the Russian Embassy, include a Telstar 18 official match ball for the first place winner, a FIFA World Cup 2018 polo shirt for second place, and a 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia plush mascot for third place.
The tournament’s top three finishers will also each receive a memorable traditional Russian souvenir – a Matryoshka doll.
The event will come to a close today in a ceremony beginning 7.30pm, attended by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.
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