We spoke with Aivaz Khalikov, the head coach of the ADIHIC team. In the interview, he told us about the team’s participation in the upcoming third TATNEFT ADIHIC Cup in Kazan, as well as tournaments from previous years, including the international experience of the team and the coach.

– Ayvaz, since you have become the head coach of the ADIHIC team, you participated in two TATNEFT ADIHIC Cups and an international amateur tournament in Turkmenistan. Tell us a little about the team. In all tournaments, almost the roster was represented by players from the Religious Board of Muslims the Republic of Tatarstan, including several players from the Tatarstan ice hockey system?

– Yes, today the team includes some of the strongest practicing Muslims. I note that most of them are amateurs. There are also players in our team with a good hockey school, mostly representatives of the Tatarstan ice hockey vertical.

– You and your team had a rather unusual trip to an international tournament in Turkmenistan. What do you remember about it?

– First of all, this was the first international experience for most of them, including me. The tournament was organized at the highest level! Turkmenistan turned out to be a very hospitable and colorful country. During the tournament, we managed to play ice hockey and get acquainted with the local culture.

– Let’s remember last year’s TATNEFT ADIHIC Cup. In the final match of the top division, your team beat the representatives of Ust-Kamenogorsk hockey from Kazakhstan. What is your memory of that tournament, what was the level of competition there?

– Tatarstan and Kazan itself host great events, especially at the international level. The second TATNEFT ADIHIC Cup was a confirmation of these words, everything was provided for down to the smallest detail. Once again, on behalf of our team, I would like to express my gratitude to the heads of TATNEFT, Ak Bars and RBM RT. They supported us both during the preparation stage and during the tournament itself. That cup turned out to be competitive, with the exception of a couple of teams that are just starting their journey in big-time hockey. The team from Kazakhstan, of course, stood out from the rest. They included former professionals, some even played for the main national team of Kazakhstan at the IIHF World Championship. The final was the highlight of the tournament and brought a lot of positive emotions to both us and the fans!

– The holy month of Ramadan for Muslims will end very soon (The interview was recorded during the fast). Did you or your team have to practice or play during this time? Is it difficult, or does fasting provide some additional spiritual strength and motivation?

– Yes, it is the holy month for all Muslims, and I would like to congratulate everyone on this. May Allah accept our deeds. As for competitions during lent, there is a human physiology that cannot be avoided. The body is exhausted without food and water, it is difficult to show yourself to the maximum, but there is another side to the coin. This month, people of different nationalities gather for Iftar every evening, which unites all believers and gives us inner strength.

– The next TATNEFT ADIHIC Cup tournament is scheduled for early June. When will the practice of the team begin and what are your expectations from the tournament?

– Many guys are playing in the season, they play in the amateur leagues of Kazan and Tatarstan. Immediately after the end of the championships, we will begin practicing, it will be about two weeks before the start of the TATNEFT ADIHIC Cup. I am sure that not only us, but also the fans are waiting for this event.

 – What is the most difficult part of coaching an amateur team, in your opinion?

– Probably, it is not always possible to technically implement all the ideas. It should be understood that many of our players are amateurs who have just recently started skating.