The Volga Federal District Cup of Hockey among amateur student teams kicked off on 25 October at the Zilant Sports Complex, a facility of the Volga Region University. One of the 14 participating teams was the second team from the University of Sports and Tourism.
As Viktor Demidov, Tatarstan's Chief Federal Inspector General for the Republic of Tatarstan, mentioned at the tournament's opening ceremony, last year 311 sports facilities were opened in Tatarstan. "It speaks of the state support and interest of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan," Viktor Demidov said. - It is a great honour for me to convey words of greetings and good wishes from Igor Komarov, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Volga Federal District, as this tournament is held under his patronage."
"Every year the number of participants in this tournament grows. People in Tatarstan love sports, especially ice hockey. We are very glad to see you in Kazan," greeted the hockey players, Ildar Sadriev, Deputy Minister of Sport of the Republic of Tatarstan. - There are more than 50 arenas with artificial ice in Tatarstan, but there are so many people willing to skate that even this well-developed infrastructure is not enough for all the fans.
In turn, vice-president of the Ice Hockey Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan Andrey Ryabov said that more attention will be paid to student ice hockey in the republic and announced that the winner will get a cash prize of 100,000 roubles, silver medalists 75,000 roubles and bronze medalists 50,000 roubles.
In the opening match, hockey players from Volga Region University defeated the team from Saratov 6-2. In the second meeting, the University of Sports defeated the hockey team from Orenburg, 4-2.
The final matches will be held on October 27.
