Photo by Press Office of Dagestan’s Head \TASS via Getty Images
The UFC lightweight champion is determined to ensure that his father’s sports development projects in Dagestan and seen through to the end.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has no intention of abandoning his father’s sports legacy.
The UFC lightweight champion met with several regional politicians, including the Head of Dagestan, Vladimir Vasilyev, to discuss plans to carry forth some of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s sports development projects in Dagestan.
“I would like to thank you for your respectful and trusting attitude towards my father. He had a lot of plans, I consider it my duty to see them through to the end,” Khabib said (h/t tass.ru).
Vasilyev confirmed the government’s intention to move forward with several sports development projects, hinting that he has also received Russian president Vladimir Putin’s permission:
“We have an instruction from the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin) and a debt to the memory of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, whom we all respected and appreciated immensely, he was my adviser, helped and supported me a lot. He inspired the energy of victories, which he knew how to achieve at all times, making ordinary boys world champions, and with minimal resources, which we all need to learn. Therefore, I think today, at this table, everyone understands the measure of official and moral responsibility, but work on these projects is also a matter of honor.”
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov passed away last month at age 57 due to coronavirus-related complications. He was transported from his native Dagestan to a military hospital in Moscow in April after falling ill with pneumonia and flu-like symptoms, which was later confirmed to be COVID-19. As his condition worsened, the renowned coach suffered a stroke and underwent surgery before being placed in a medically induced coma.
Despite reports that there were signs of recovery, including from Khabib himself, Abdulmanap once again took a turn for the worse. His death led to an outpouring of tributes in his honor, including from Putin, local politicians, athletes, as well as his former students.
Prior to his passing, Abdulmanap inaugurated a state-of-the-art gym in Dagestan bearing his name. There, he planned to raise the next generation of Dagestani combat sports athletes and champions.