Yesterday honorary member of UEFA Grigory Mikhailovich Surkis celebrated his 73rd birthday. Among others, the birthday man received a congratulatory letter from the president of Shakhtar Donetsk, Rinat Akhmetov.
Dear Grigory Mikhailovich!
Please accept my most sincere congratulations on your birthday!
You have done an inestimable amount for the formation and development of football in independent Ukraine, forever inscribing your name in the history of the sport of our country. As the president of FC Dynamo, you managed to bring the club to the highest level and make it a showcase of Ukrainian football for many years.
As the head of the FFU and vice president of UEFA, you have successfully promoted Ukrainian football within the country and defended its interests in Europe and the world.
Today, football in Ukraine has faded into the background, but still remains an important factor that brings happiness to fans and unites millions of people. I am sure that the day will soon come when we will gather again at the stadiums of a free and independent Ukraine, in Kyiv and liberated Donetsk, where we will think and talk only about football.
I wish peace and good to you and your family, good health, happiness, prosperity!
Sincerely,
President of FC Shakhtar
Rinat Akhmetov