Arslan Mergen, Vice–President of the Mongolian Ice Hockey Federation shared his impressions about his trip to the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan.

– It’s hard to describe my emotions. Amazing training facility. Amazing city. Kazan is very beautiful, there are a lot of really kind people. I came with my sons Itgel and Bilguun. We thought that the adaptation would be long. Fortunately, we didn’t have any difficulties.

The boys really like the Ak Bars Academy. In addition to training, they go to school where they study Russian and Tatar languages. By the way, many words are very similar to Mongolian. Tatar culture is also very close to us.
The boys live in a boarding school, and it’s very cozy there. Coaches, teachers, staff: everyone is trying to help somehow and adapt the boys faster.

– What is hockey for you?

– Ice hockey is a unique team game for the smart and agile people. Players become hardworking, patient, learn to work in a team.

I played for the Mongolian national team for many years, and then worked for many years for the benefit of the development of ice hockey in my country. I still work in our Ice Hockey Federation, I head the national team. I’m trying to prepare new generations of players.

For me, Russian hockey is the smartest in the world. We learn a lot and adopt the experience of developing this sport in Kazan. The high level of the game, coaches, players, and staff can be seen here. All this is passed down from generation to generation, a kind of history of victories and successes. I see how talents are being cultivated in Ak Bars, and this is such a crazy work.

– As far as we know, your family is also involved in ice hockey, right?

– Yes. I have four sons and two daughters, and they all involved in ice hockey. For example, the eldest son Temuujin is an IIHF international class judge. By the way, my whole family supports Ak Bars. We try not to miss a single game.

The level of players in the Ak Bars Academy is very high. Itgel and Bilguun are trying to catch up with the other guys. Now they are training with Alexander Radulov’s son in the same group. They are fans of the striker’s game. Sometimes, Alexander personally comes to watch these trainings, and my sons can’t believe their eyes!

– What kind of experience would you like to learn from Kazan?

– We have our own ice hockey academy in Mongolia. We are trying to develop, but we are still far from the Russian level. Itgel and Bilguun dream of continuing my business and becoming professional players. And after retiring, they want to return to Mongolia and pass on their experience to the next generations.

It is important that in Kazan not only ice hockey is developing, but all kinds of sports in general. It can be seen how it prolongs the life and strengthens the health of local residents of Tatarstan. Kazan is a sporty and healthy city.

I would like to sincerely thank Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov, Nail Ulfatovich Maganov, Mansur Midekhatovich Usmanov for the opportunity to come here. Special thanks to all the trainers, experts and colleagues from ADIHIC for the warm welcome and kind attitude towards us. I wish you all good luck! Thank you for your kindness and hospitality.