First Vice-President of the Russian Hockey Federation (RHF) Romain Rotenberg told that organizing a hockey tournament with the BRICS countries is a difficult process that takes time.
Rotenberg said earlier that discussions were underway on the development of hockey in the BRICS countries.
— Is the idea of organizing a hockey tournament with BRICS teams still relevant?
– We communicate. There is a lot of work to be done. In India, the number one sport is cricket, there is a lot of competition there. You have to understand that cricket is the number one in the world in terms of investment and financial opportunities. Their revenues and player salaries are higher than those of the NBA, NHL and all American leagues. The hockey tournament with the BRICS countries is a long-term project where we have to move step by step. First we have to build an ice rink, which we are doing now, and then open a school for children. How many years have the NHL, KHL and our hockey existed? So we have to go step by step and not force things. We are working and grateful to our Indian colleagues. We are moving with them in different directions.
– So there is already a plan that you are adhering to?
– Yes, there is a plan, a road map that we are following. But I repeat once again: it is a difficult process that takes time. Taking into account the example of cricket and the competition, when a hundred thousand people come to the stadium. In India, field hockey is still well developed. We are now working to develop hockey there.
— Have you ever played cricket with the team? Are you considering it?
“We have already discussed it, but first we need to buy cricket equipment. It is also an interesting game, also with a ball, where coordination is important. Cricket and baseball are very popular sports and develop players. Baseball may be difficult to teach, but cricket is easier. Maybe when we have the equipment, we can do it. In Sochi, we will play padel. It will not be part of the training process, but will be a separate weekend tournament to keep the players busy. It is also a good sport for coordination, thinking about the game and tactics,” Rotenberg told .
BRICS is an interstate association, a union of five states: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
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