Penza, 1 July 2016. PenzaNews. Alexander Kalashnikov, former mayor and Honorary Citizen of Penza, has been elected the new chairman of the regional Football Federation unanimously by the delegates of the extraordinary federation meeting at the Lermontov regional library on Friday, July 1.

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In the beginning of the event, the congregation was informed that the previous chairman Nikolai Boleev decided to step away from the office voluntarily due to declining health.

Alexander Kalashnikov was the only candidate in the election.

As a result, the vote took only several minutes, with all present delegates giving their support for the only candidate.

In his address, the new president of the Penza region Football Federation called the people present at the event his friends and colleagues.

“I am calling you my colleagues not just for nothing. I was, am, and always will be dedicated to football, to Penza region football, and I will stay very much alive and kicking for quite a while,” Alexander Kalashnikov said.

He also expressed his gratitude to all for showing their support.

“I am very grateful to be with you once again. I am very pleased to see familiar faces here – the young men who spent many hours and years playing football with me,” said the Honorary Citizen of Penza.