Residents of the village of Dolon of the Tyupsky district of the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan in winter play hockey on the frozen lake at the foot of Tien Shani.
Part of the completely frozen surface of the lake Dolon 2.5 kilometers long, 350 meters wide and 30 meters deep, villagers use the hockey stadium.
Edil Isakov, the coach of the village of Hockey, told AA correspondent that he created three teams in the village, consisting of children, youth and people over 40 years old.
In winter, teams train every day for two to three hours on the frozen lake, trying to improve the skills, but they need good equipment, he noted.
Isakov said that the gates on the field of the teams were built due to their own efforts, but a fence is necessary for the route.
“Hockey is an expensive and very interesting game, but this is a sport for those who are not afraid,” he emphasized.
According to the coach, the interest in hockey in the village of Dolon is not something new and the day by day is growing.
“The president shows interest in this sport and this motivates our youth,” he stressed.
Hockey player Genghis Musabaev said that in the summer they play football in the village, and in winter – hockey.
And the goalkeeper of the team, 16-year-old Marlis Suyurlukov said that he was dreaming of watching hockey matches in the USA.
The villagers support training
The residents of the village support team training on the ice arena on the local lake.
The pension teacher Shayirkul Osmonova said that she was glad of the interest of children in the village of hockey with a puck.
If there is necessary support, in the future these children will even be able to take part and succeed in republican level tournaments, she said.
A resident of the village, 82 -year -old Berdali Turgunbaev said that hockey with a puck is the most popular sport in the village. “Young people in the village are very talented in sports. Our children know how to swim. He knows how to ride on skates. He shows a great interest in struggle, boxing and hockey,” he added.