The Kyrgyzstan national team is preparing for the Eurasian Cup in hockey among children's teams "Hockey Ice Tale" (HIT - 2014), which will take place from December 20 to 29 in Sochi (Russian Federation). The tournament is timed to coincide with the launch of the Eurasian Economic Union.
The team consists of 22 hockey players who are conducting training camps at the "City Ice Rink" in Bishkek under the guidance of the head coach of the team, Rinat Mustafaev. The team will depart on December 20 under the leadership of the vice-president of the Ice Hockey Federation, Murat Jakypov.
The State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports has taken on the financial costs of the team's flights, which amount to about 800,000 soms. Other expenses are covered by sponsors and the athletes' parents.
As part of the sports event, a series of meetings between athletes and delegation leaders with hockey clubs from the countries participating in the Eurasian Economic Union is planned.
Regarding the details of the team's preparation during a visit by journalists to the "City Ice Rink," where training is taking place, the president of the Ice Hockey Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic, Anvar Omorkanov, spoke. According to him, the strongest players were selected for the national team from 100 hockey players who train regularly. "The guys will be intensively preparing for these starts until December 20. The chances of victory have always been and still are," added A. Omorkanov.
"I want to express my gratitude to the director of the State Agency, Kadybek Ergeshov, for the financial support. Previously, the children mainly traveled at their parents' expense, and everything relied on enthusiasts," said the president of the Federation.
The tournament will feature 12 of the strongest teams: the national teams of Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Crimea, and the hockey clubs Ermak (Angarsk), Rus (Moscow), CSKA (Moscow), Ak Bars (Kazan), Loko-04 (Yaroslavl), Metallurg (Magnitogorsk), and Silver Lions (St. Petersburg).
On December 21, there will be a grand opening of the tournament with the participation of players from the "First Channel" Cup (Russia) and a gala match with hockey stars.
Team roster:
