Sergei Kapkov


Sergei Alexandrovich Kapkov is a Russian politician, Head of the Culture and Urban Development Center, School of Economics, Moscow State University. Married, has two kids.
Former Minister of Moscow Government, head of Moscow City Department of Culture, head of the National Academy of Football Fund, highly supported by Roman Abramovich. The Fund under Kapkov leadership was the one who hired Guus Hiddink as the chief coach of the Russian national team.

Early life and Biography

Work in Chukotka region

After a bright start of the politician career, Sergei met Roman Abramovich, one of the main shareholder of Sibneft that time. These fast acquaintance transformed in long-term relations.
In 1999 Mr. Kapkov took part in Abramovich election campaign to the State Duma. After the successful campaign, Kapkov became a primary assistant of Roman Abramovich in the Duma. News media describe Mr. Kapkov as “ one of the leading managers in charge of media relations and public outreach”.
In 2000 he became the Head of governor election campaign at Chukotka region for Mr. Abramovich. Roman Abramovich won the election with more than 90% of electoral votes.
In 2001 Sergei Kapkov became the head of Public relations and Digital media Department at Chukotka region. The same year he take over the Department of culture, sport, tourism and young population policy and became one of the youngest Ministers at Chukotka region. He stood behind couple modernization in the region, such as first regional radio and first independent TV-channel “Belyi Veter”.

Duma member

In 2003 Sergei Kapkov was elected as a deputy in the lower house State Duma. He was a member of the lower house Committee for civil, criminal, arbitration and procedural legislation. In 2007 Sergei Kapkov took another turn in the State Duma when Vladimir Putin declined his invitation to become a deputy in Russia's new parliament and handed over his seat to Sergei Kapkov, who became deputy head of the State Duma Committee for Information Policy, Technology and Communication.

Head of Gorky park">Gorky Park (Moscow)">Gorky park

In 2011 Sergei Kapkov stepped down from the position of the State Duma deputy to start magic renovation and revival of Central Moscow park - Gorky park. Almost in months park was free of old and out of date amusement attractions and old-style cafes. Instead of these park visitors and city guests received sensitive customer-service approach trendy outdoor activities and fully renovated park with a waterfront.

Work in Moscow city Culture Department

“What I was doing, I regarded as a priority for the people of Moscow and the foundation for personal freedoms, personal space and the urban environment"
Sergei Kapkov was the force behind the transformation and revival of Moscow's culture. As Moscow's Minister of Culture, he undertook major urban regeneration initiatives and introduced radically new cultural policies. Under his watch, many public spaces, parks, and riverside areas were revitalized, and new pedestrian zones, street fairs, exhibitions, and music and arts festivals were created.
Sergei Kapkov brought Moscow to a new level of recognition. The city appearance changed dramatically.
After Kapkov reforms and all his battles, regional administrations across the country have suddenly become interested in the renovation of parks and the rejuvenation of public space. In Moscow, many of the positive changes to the fabric of the city are hard to undo, whatever happens. Many people worry there are changes in the air, but hope is far from lost – with some suggesting that if the Europeanisation of Moscow is over, the end of this copycat urban development may not be such a bad thing anyway.

Soccerball influence

In 2003 Sergei Kapkov was one of the initiators of Russian Soccer revival. He stood in the roots of National Football Academy foundation side by side with his close friend Roman Abramovich.
In June 2004 he became Chief of the board of directors at National Football Academy. The main purpose of this organization was improving infrastructure and setting up new training centers for talented players at a national level. The annual budget of the Fund was almost $30 million. Within 5 years the Fund invested in Russian soccer sports development around $100 million.
While Sergei Kapkov was in charge for NFA, Fund reached next results:
- the building of about 130 soccer fields with artificial surfaces in each Russian region
- support various training programs for children
- more than 800 prospective youth team coaches passed postgraduate courses in leading soccer clubs in England, Spain, and Holland
- More than 500 referees get an opportunity to participate in special program of advanced studies in arbitrary
- The annual international Cup of Channel one was founded by NFA initiative
- Fund supported the best national soccer school - Konoplyov Soccer academy
In April 2006 he was offered a Vice-presidentcy of Russian Football Union. Sergei Kapkov pushed the decision to invite Guus Hiddink to become a chief coach of the Russia national soccer team. Hiddink led Russia to win the third place at UEFA Euro 2008, and has been credited with inspiring a football revival in Russia. Pre-Hiddink, Russia had failed to get out of their group at every major tournament they had qualified for.

Achievements

Awards