Bishkek, March 3, 2022. / Kabar /. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov met with a delegation of the International Ice Hockey Federation headed by President Luc Tardif, the press service of the head of state reported.
Welcoming the guests, the head of state noted that sport is an important bridge of friendship that unites peoples and states and strengthens the international atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust.
“I am glad that we managed to maintain interest in hockey, this is also the merit of enthusiasts who did not give up and worked to popularize hockey in the country and the participation of our team in international tournaments,” the president emphasized.
The head of state noted with satisfaction the decision of the International Ice Hockey Federation to hold the First World Championship Division IV in Kyrgyzstan. This can be perceived as recognition of the collective work and support for the aspirations of the Kyrgyz side to develop hockey.
Sadyr Zhaparov stressed that the championship and the games of the national team of Kyrgyzstan will give an additional impetus to the development of hockey among children and youth. Today, more than a thousand athletes are involved in hockey in Kyrgyzstan. It is gratifying that almost half of them are children. Kyrgyzstan expects that the national team of the country will play in the TOP division of the World Ice Hockey Championship and in the Winter Olympics after 10 - 15 years.
In this regard, Sadyr Zhaparov proposed to support opening of hockey schools and building a new world-class hockey arena under the auspices of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
The head of state instructed the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy and the National Ice Hockey Federation of Kyrgyzstan to address these issues.
In turn, Luc Tardif, expressing gratitude to Sadyr Zhaparov for the warm welcome, congratulated the head of state and the people of Kyrgyzstan on the 30th anniversary of the state flag of the country.
The president of the International Ice Hockey Federation noted that this is his first visit to Kyrgyzstan. He emphasized that sport is a universal language that unites all peoples, and Kyrgyzstan has all the necessary conditions for the development of winter sports, in particular hockey.
Luc Tardif expressed his gratitude to the Kyrgyz side for organizing and preparing for the upcoming World Championship Division IV.
First Vice President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Petr Brzhiza added that their delegation is in Kyrgyzstan with great excitement and pride.
He said that the hockey can have a big development in the Asian region as a whole. This requires an industry, in particular hockey arenas, so that those who want to practice this sport professionally have such an opportunity.
Petr Brzhiza expressed hope for fruitful cooperation with the Kyrgyz side in order to further develop and popularize hockey in Kyrgyzstan.
During the meeting, Sadyr Zhaparov awarded the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Luc Tardif with the Dostuk Order for his significant contribution to the development of hockey in Kyrgyzstan, as well as to the organization of the World Ice Hockey Championship Division IV.
Zhaparov awarded First Vice President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Petr Brzhiza and Regional Vice President of the International Ice Hockey Federation for Asia and Oceania Aivaz Omorkanov a nominal watch of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.
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