All-Russian Council meeting concerning the development of student ice hockey

On January 25, the sixth meeting of the All-Russian Council concerning the Development of Student Ice Hockey was held at the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation.

The Russian Minister of Sport, Oleg Matytsin, and the president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF), Vladislav Tretiak, made a welcoming speech at the event.

Oleg Matytsin, Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation:

- First of all, I would like to congratulate everyone on Student Day. This day is an opportunity for us to discuss important topics with regard to student ice hockey in our country. I am very grateful that, thanks to the joint efforts of the RIHF and the Russian Student Union, a gala match will take place on Red Square today. This is symbolic, because ice hockey in Russia is more than a sport: it is a source of pride.

The topic of today's meeting is very important, I would not limit it specifically to student ICE hockey, although most of those present are paying attention to this particular area. I would like to consider the development of student ICE hockey as a pilot project for the development of all student sports in the Russian Federation, since much has already been done by the RIHF, the Russian Student Union and the Ministry of Sport to create a model, a league, clubs and more interaction with universities. The model, in our opinion, is quite successful. I know that the geography of Student Hockey League teams is growing with rectors interested in creating teams.

The Ministry of Sport pays great attention to the development of student sports. We have a strategy for the development of student sports up to 30 years old, adopted by the Government and agreed by the President of the Russian Federation. This is how regional programs for the development of student ice hockey work in the regions. We hope that the RIHF will continue to pay as much attention to this area and that we will continue interacting productively.

Vladislav Tretiak, President of the RIHF:

- The RIHF, together with the All-Russian Student Union, established a student hockey League five years ago, which has subsequently been successfully operating. Already 28 subjects of the Russian Federation are hosting tournaments, with around 5,000 students and 83 teams competing. The RIHF supports this event - financially - as we try to ensure that our students play ice hockey in both Russia and other countries. A lot of work is being done, our student ice hockey teams - male and female - have repeatedly become Universiade champions.

Student ice hockey is a very important matter. For example, if a player isn't good enought to be a professional, student ice hockey still gives him the opportunity to play at a high level. This is crucial in making the sport even more popular in Russia.