“The Russian government, as well as regional leaders, will make every effort to expand the opportunities for sports,” the prime minister said addressing the young athletes.
After arriving at the Minor Arena of the Luzhniki Stadium, which is hosting the final match of the of the youth hockey tournament between Penza Forward and Chelyabinsk White Bears, the prime minister proceeded to the central stand, where he was immediately surrounded by young players asking for his autograph.
Mr Putin made a speech at the opening ceremony and performed the symbolic face-off.
Vladimir Putin’s speech at the opening ceremony:
Ladies and gentlemen, athletes and supporters...
“The Russian government, as well as regional leaders, will make every effort to expand the opportunities for sports,” the prime minister said addressing the young athletes.
After arriving at the Minor Arena of the Luzhniki Stadium, which is hosting the final match of the of the youth hockey tournament between Penza Forward and Chelyabinsk White Bears, the prime minister proceeded to the central stand, where he was immediately surrounded by young players asking for his autograph.
Mr Putin made a speech at the opening ceremony and performed the symbolic face-off.
Vladimir Putin’s speech at the opening ceremony:
Ladies and gentlemen, athletes and supporters. Golden Puck is one of the most prestigious youth tournaments and has been held for nearly 50 years now. The idea to hold youth hockey tournaments emerged after our hockey team’s splendid performance at the 1964 Innsbruck Winter Olympics. These tournaments, and sports in general, enable an individual (a young individual in this case) to show their best qualities and skills – courage, strength, agility, as well as determination to win and integrity.
I would like to wish you all success and assure you that the Russian government, as well as your regional leaders will make every effort to expand the opportunities for sports.
I would like to wish all of you present here to capture the most vibrant moments of the game and enjoy them as much as possible, and good luck to our young athletes. I declare the final game open!
I had the pleasure to practice with these teams yesterday, or rather an opportunity to learn from them. I talked to one of these young players and asked him, “How old are you?” I think he will remember that conversation. He said, “Twelve.” “And how long have you been ice skating?” I asked, and he said, “Nine years.” That means he learned to ice skate only a short time after he learned to walk!
This tournament will not only help create a good basis for the development of professional ice-hockey – a high performance sport – but will also help pick the most gifted young players, create new Russian hockey stars.
Good luck to you all!
more to be soon...
источник новости: http://premier.gov.ru/eng/events/news/14876/
