Rustam Minnikhanov: The first hockey tournament among Islamic countries teams will give an impetus to development of hockey among Islamic world countries

On 17 January, welcoming participants and guests of the first international hockey tournament of amateur teams of Islamic countries and Tatarstan “Kazan hockey cup 2023” held in the Tatneft Arena Sports Palace in Kazan, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that this tournament was a great sports fest.

“Kazan, the capital of our multi-national republic, is justifiably considered one of sports capitals of Russia and is often chosen as a venue for hosting international and All-Russia sports competitions,” he said. “Eleven centuries ago our forefathers became a part on a huge Muslim world And today, many centuries later in the common family of ethnicities of Russia we stay true to   of our great predecessors”, he continued.

Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that cooperation with the Islamic world has always been one of priorities of Tatarstan and the Russia-Islamic World summit 2022 held in Kazan was one of the most important events of this work. It was during this summit that it was proposed to organize a hockey competition among Islamic countries in Kazan.

“Taking into consideration our rich hockey traditions, we are happy that another sports ground uniting the OIC countries, has appeared in the capital of Tatarstan I am sure this will give an impetus to development of hockey among Islamic world countries , facilitate strengthening friendship among countries and peoples and will become another bright page in the history of the OIC”, he said.

The tournament is held in Kazan from 14 January with participation of male and female teams from 14 countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco and Turkey, and having congratulated the participants and organizers with the successful first event, Rustam Minnikhanov said he was sure the competitions will become regular and achieve broad international acknowledgement.

After the plays, representatives of 13 countries, participants of the event, have signed an agreement on cooperation in establishment of the Community of hockey development in Islamic countries, which envisages interaction in development of hockey, organization of joint sports competitions and exchange of experience among federations.