18:22, 03 марта 2022, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Baktygul OSMONALIEVA
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov today met with a delegation of the International Ice Hockey Federation headed by its President Luc Tardif. The press service of the head of state reports.
He 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 participation of our team in international tournaments,» Sadyr Japarov said.
The head of state noted the decision of the International Ice Hockey Federation to hold the first Division IV World Championship in Kyrgyzstan. This can be regarded as recognition of the collective work and support for the aspirations of the Kyrgyz side to develop hockey.
Sadyr Japarov stressed that the championship and the games of the national team of Kyrgyzstan would give an additional impetus to the development of hockey among children and youth. Today, more than a thousand athletes go in for hockey in Kyrgyzstan. It is gratifying that almost half of them are children. Kyrgyzstan expects that in 10-15 years the national team will play in the top division of the Ice Hockey World Championship and at the Winter Olympics.
He proposed to support the issue of opening hockey schools and building a new world-class hockey arena under the auspices of the International Ice Hockey Federation.
Luc Tardif congratulated the President 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 it was 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.
The First Vice President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Petr Bříza added that hockey could have a great 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.
Sadyr Japarov awarded the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Luc Tardif with Dostuk Order for his significant contribution to the development of hockey in Kyrgyzstan, as well as for organizing the Division IV World Ice Hockey Championship. The First Vice President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Petr Bříza and the Regional Vice President of the International Ice Hockey Federation for Asia and Oceania Aivaz Omorkanov were presented with engraved watches of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Opening of the championship will take place tonight.