The Novgorod Region’s tennis cup was stolen directly from the competition venue in Kremlin Park, leading athletes to appeal for its return. The theft occurred on June 9th, the day before the tournament’s completion, during the regional cup competition.

The cup, which holds significant value for athletes due to the engraved names of tournament champions since 2009, disappeared unnoticed during heavy rain. While the cup is not made of precious metals, its sentimental worth is considerable.

The Novgorod tennis federation expressed hope that the thieves would return the trophy, suggesting they leave it near an institution or retrieve it from a scrap metal collection point. A police report has been filed regarding the cup’s disappearance.

Yuri Ivanov, chairman of the regional tennis federation, explained that the annual All-Russian Veteran Tennis Tournament took place in Veliky Novgorod from June 6th to 9th, featuring athletes from various regions and countries. The tournament has been a tradition for 16 years, with the cup being awarded since 2009.

Ivanov described the cup as a substantial 12-kilogram trophy with a marble base, onto which the names of the winners are added. The theft occurred when participants sought shelter from heavy rain, leaving the cup unattended on a table.

Despite searching the premises and questioning attendees, the cup remains missing. Ivanov expressed a faint hope that the perpetrators would reconsider and return the trophy.