Sponsorship
In 2016–2019, Nornickel invested USD 250.5 mln in developing the Rosa Khutor Ski Resort as part of the programme to support mass sports in Russia. The funding helped transform the Olympic complex into a year-round tourist destination. By way of consideration, Nornickel was granted a minority stake in the Rosa Khutor project.
As a partner of the Russian Olympic Committee and the Russian Olympic team, Nornickel supports youth sports and professional sports, in particular, by facilitating the implementation of Olympic educational programmes developed by the Russian International Olympic University.
Another area of cooperation between the Company and the Russian Olympic Committee is the inclusion of Nornickel’s regions of operation in the pan-Russian Olympic Patrol project. In 2019, renowned athletes visited Krasnoyarsk and Norilsk and shared their personal Olympic experiences, did autograph and photo sessions, and hosted master classes and fitness tests.
Nornickel also helped organise the 30th National Olympic Day, a sports festival aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle, mass fitness and sports among Russian citizens. As part of the event, Nornickel set up a sports area combining a dedicated section of the 2019 Winter Universiade’s general partner and a streetball ground of CSKA Professional Basketball Club, the EuroLeague 2019 champion.
Nornickel remains the general sponsor of Russia’s successful and acclaimed basketball club. In 2019, the Club team won the VTB United League and became a fourth time winner of the most prestigious continental tournament, the EuroLeague Final Four.
Nornickel supports the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the organiser of universiades. In September 2019, Nornickel provided support for the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy, a regular international forum attended in 2019 by volunteer leaders from more than 80 countries, representatives of sports delegations, and public officials responsible for university sports. The forum provided a platform to foster greater interaction between volunteers and national university sports federations, and share knowledge and experience in organising major international sporting events, including the 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk.
As the general partner of the 29th International Winter Universiade held in Krasnoyarsk in 2019, Nornickel fully met its commitments to assist in preparing and holding the international student games.
Nornickel’s contribution to the success of the student games was highly praised by international sports federations, participating countries, the local organising committee, and Russia’s leaders. The Company received a number of prestigious awards: Regional Development. The Best for Russia, Sport Leaders, and Best Social Projects in Russia awards, as well as BISPO Award and MARSPO Award.
Along with financial support and provision of infrastructure for the international student games, Nornickel made additional commitments to train the required staff, develop its own volunteering programme, and help spread modern Siberia’s new image around the world. For the first time ever, a dedicated team of corporate volunteers made up of Nornickel employees and their family members helped run the Universiade. Nornickel allocated funds to arrange trainings for sports facilities managers, functional heads, and sports executives, as well as volunteer team leaders, at the Russian International Olympic University and Siberian Federal University. Nornickel’s support contributed to the non-material heritage of the 2019 Winter Universiade and the development of the Krasnoyarsk Region’s talent pool in general.
Nornickel contributed a total of over RUB 2.4 bn, net of VAT, (USD 37 mln) to prepare and hold the 2019 Winter Universiade.
In line with the existing arrangements, once the Universiade was over, the newly built facilities were not handed over to the state. Instead, Nornickel will continue to finance their ongoing maintenance and operation, drawing on many years of experience in building and operating multifunctional and specialised sports complexes. The new sports and training complex is already a venue for futsal and basketball trainings and tournaments. The facility was upgraded to improve accessibility for children and adults with special needs and to offer an even safer and more comfortable leisure experience to the city’s residents and guests.
In 2016, the team and administrative personnel of Norilsk Nickel Futsal Club moved to Norilsk. Nornickel is the Club’s general sponsor. The team takes part in the Russian Super League Championship and Russian Futsal Cup. The Russian Futsal Association and MMC Norilsk Nickel work closely together to ensure the success of the Futsal to Polar Schools project. As part of this initiative, the Club’s futsal players run master classes for schoolchildren and special workshops for coaches.
Nornickel Football Cup – New Hopes
For the second year running, Nornickel organised the Nornickel Cup — New Hopes inter-regional football tournament which brought together youth teams from the Krasnoyarsk, Zabaykalsky, and Murmansk Regions. The tournament winners were awarded with cups and diplomas, and all participants received commemorative gifts.
In 2019, Nornickel supported the All-Russian Federation of DanceSport and Acrobatic Rock’n’Roll in developing and promoting these sports. As part of the partnership, we helped set up a corporate acrobatic rock’n’roll club in Norilsk, which successfully competes in national and regional contests. Nornickel is a partner of the Federation.
Since 2018, Nornickel has partnered with Rosgonki and Sochi Autodrom to support and promote motor racing in Russia. Under the sponsorship agreement between Rosgonki and Nornickel, the Company provides assistance in preparing and holding sporting events at the Formula One Circuit Race Track.