Bishkek, Sept. 5, 2025 /Kabar/. Today, world hockey legend Andrei Zubarev, Olympic champion, Gagarin Cup winner and former National Hockey League (NHL) player, arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the first time. On the day of his arrival, he took part in a press conference at Kabar Agency, where he spoke about his career and plans for cooperation with our country.
“It is a great honor for us – for the first time an Olympic hockey champion came to Kyrgyzstan. It is a huge motivation for the children. Andrey Zubarev arrived as part of the Manas Kubogu international tournament among children’s and youth teams,” said Vice President of the Kyrgyz Hockey Federation Asel Abdygulova.
According to her, the Olympic champion’s first master class will be held for children from Kyrgyzstan and Central Asian countries.
“The children are really looking forward to it and are excited. They want to see the Olympic medal, ask their questions, get an autograph. It is a big event for us,” she emphasized.
Special attention is also paid to women’s hockey. The women's national team of Kyrgyzstan, 90% of which consists of players from the club "Shapak" from the remote village of Otradnoye in the Issyk-Kul region, will also take part in the master class. The team will soon compete in the New York Cup among women's teams of the 40+ category.
In turn, Andrey Zubarev said that he is developing his own production of hockey equipment and skates in Switzerland.
"We are currently producing in China, but we are considering the possibility of producing in Kyrgyzstan. It would be more convenient, closer and more comfortable. In addition, it would be a big step forward for Kyrgyzstan if hockey uniforms for players up to the NHL are produced here," he noted.
Abdygulova added that the issue of equipment is one of the main problems of Kyrgyz hockey players.
"Equipment is very expensive. We are forced to buy it in Russia or America at high prices, since it is simply not available in Kyrgyzstan. If we manage to set up production here, it will open up great prospects,” said the Vice President of the Federation.
During Andrei Zubarev’s visit to Kyrgyzstan the following events will take place:
master classes for young hockey players and the women’s national team of Kyrgyzstan;
a meeting with the country’s hockey clubs;
master classes for hockey players from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries;
familiarization with the development of hockey in the regions.
