Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - In recent years, the Uzbekistan Hockey Federation has been working hard to popularize this sport in the country. Tashkent’s multifunctional ice complex "Humo Arena" a significant event took place.

Legends such as world and Olympic champions such as Vitaly Prokhorov, Alexander Yakushev, Sergey Shepelev, Vladimir Malakhov, Alexei Kasatonov, Valery Kamensky and Uzbek hockey players who played at the Match of Legends gathered at the arena.

The opening ceremony of the match was very solemn. The event was attended by the President of the National Olympic Committee, Rustam Shaabdurakhmanov, the first deputy hockey federation of Uzbekistan Bakhodir Gafurov, representatives of sports and the media.

“Thanks to the attention paid by our Dear President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev to the sphere of physical education and sport, each sport is developing significantly. The recently announced resolution on measures to develop winter sports is a prime example. Hockey is a truly male sport, thanks to which endurance is developed and the body is tempered. Our Dear President has strengthened economic, political and cultural ties with states in the region. Now we need to develop cooperation in the field of sports with neighboring countries. It should be emphasized that hockey in Uzbekistan is developing on a large scale. Last year, the Uzbekistan Hockey Federation officially joined the International Hockey Federation, starting this season the Tashkent Humo team began to defend the honor of Uzbekistan in the Higher Hockey League. Of course, all these events were a great celebration for Uzbek hockey fans,” Rustam Shaabdurakhmanov said.

After the opening ceremony, the teams “Legends of Uzbekistan” and “Legends of Russia” held a friendly match. The game was very exciting, it should be noted that over the years, hockey players have not lost their athletic form and technical abilities, thereby deserving the praise of the fans.