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Imperial Energy Cup: contribution to the future of hockey.

The Ice Hockey Tournament for the Imperial Energy Cup was held from October 22 to October 24, 2021 at the Kristall Sports Complex – the first sports event of municipal and even inter-regional level in the history of our group of companies! Six teams of young men born in 2010-2011 from Tomsk and Seversk, Kemerovo (capital of the Kuznetsk Basin), Prokopyevsk and Novokuznetsk, Achinsk, participated in the competition.

The official tournament-opening ceremony started with a traditional march-in and welcome speeches of honored guests. Among them were our famous compatriot Vladimir Sapozhnikov, winner of the Junior Ice Hockey World Championship, Kirill Bazaev, deputy of the regional Duma, Andrey Belousov, head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Tomsk Administration, who said kind words and wished good luck to the boys.

From our side, young hockey stars were welcomed by Alok Kumar Gupta, Managing Director of OVL, who was on a working visit to Tomsk that day, Shyamal Kumar Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Energy and Aleksandr Baklanov, General Director of IE.

“Love for sports is what brings people and our countries together, helps to maintain health, and brings up the best qualities of a strong character. Russian hockey is the strongest in the world, and I wish you to continue its traditions honorably in the future, but for now, gain experience and improve your skills in such tournaments as this one! I wish you a vivid performance and victory in the upcoming matches,” Alok Kumar Gupta wished the young Siberian hockey players. The head of our parent company also expressed his hope that Imperial Energy would continue to support children's hockey in Tomsk and this tournament would become a good tradition. Together with other guests of honor and team captains A.K. Gupta took part in the symbolic puck drop and presented sweet gifts to the teams.

The opening ceremony ended with the anthems of Russia and Imperial Energy, stunningly beautiful and spectacular performances of young figure skaters who are the students of Tomsk Sports School for Children and Youth No. 4.

Then the battles on ice boiled up, during which each of the teams fought hard for victory and the main trophy – the Imperial Energy Cup.

After tense battles, the team Yastreb from Tomsk became the strongest, the second place was taken by Shakhtyor from Prokopyevsk; the bronze went to the boys from the Achinsk club. Both winners and runners-up, in addition to the Cup and corresponding medals, were awarded worthy cash prizes from our group of companies.

“The starting point in the process of organizing the tournament was a letter that we received from Tomsk Sports School for Children and Youth No. 4 with a proposal to support young hockey players and figure skaters. We almost immediately responded to it, because in our team, there are many keen athletes, as well as parents of children who do sports, including in this sports school for children and youth. For many years, before the onset of the pandemic, we invariably held corporate Spartakiads. Generally speaking, we have been close friends with sports for a long time, and it was a pleasure for us to contribute to its support and development in our city,” said Aleksandr Baklanov, General Director of Imperial Energy.