#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Six hockey players readily responded to the kindergarten’s invitation to strengthen two competing parent-child teams.
Along with the hockey players, Bushai, the team’s mascot, who instantly became the kids’ favorite, also came to visit the children. Bushai did not refuse to make a group photo and supported the relay participants. It’s interesting that except for a few people who organized the holiday, no one in the kindergarten knew who was supposed to come to visit, so the surprise was a success.
The competitions were, of course, a joke, but the teams Zdorovyachki and Bodryachki in the Rocket had to come up with a real motto. They started with warm-ups, then – dribbling the puck, scoring a goal – both adults (three dads in each team and three Norilsk HC players) and children took part. But the final competition – tug-of-war – united only adults. There was much room for heroic strength: they pulled seriously, putting in all their afforts.
It’s funny, but one of the teams won all three times. One of its participants, Norilsk HC goalkeeper Anatoly Smirnov, said that they won due to their well-coordinated work and team spirit:
“I really liked today’s event. It was organized perfectly, and we were greeted warmly. But the main thing is how the children reacted: they showed such sincere emotions! Both we and they got much energy at the holiday. I think such events should be held more often.”
He said that he responded enthusiastically to the idea of participating in the children’s holiday and would be happy to repeat this experience if offered again.
One of the initiators of the event, Sergey Alhimov, a forward for the Norilsk HC, admitted that he was the one who encouraged the guys of the team to participate:
“Artyom Tyutyunnikov, the team’s press attaché, and I had been discussing such an event for a long time. When the occasion appeared and an invitation came from the kindergarten staff, I responded with pleasure and gathered the guys. It turned out to be a great atmosphere: children’s joy was so pure. The emotions after the event were overwhelming!”
The fathers were also pleased. Elvin Gasanov, the father of 5-year-old Elina, said that it was especially important for him to attend a joint sporting event with his daughter:
“This is our first joint sporting competition. I immediately agreed to take part when they offered, and I do not regret it a bit. I love sports, I have been doing it since childhood. Sometimes I bring my daughter to the matches of my mini-football team – I play for the copper plant – she supports me from the stands”.
In the relay race, friendship ultimately won. All the participants and fans – the children supported with all their hearts, so much so that experienced fans would envy – were given scarves with the team’s symbols and tickets to the upcoming matches by the hockey players. And, of course, they shared their impressions, answered the children’s questions and took photos with the event participants.
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Text: Maria Sokolova, Photo: author
