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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Friends,

I welcome you to the opening of the final stage of the 11^th Night Hockey League National Festival and congratulate the players, coaches and fans of the tournament on this great and spectacular event, a true festival for ice hockey fans.

Russia sincerely loves this wonderful sport. It is only natural that the Night Hockey League has won broad recognition throughout the country and has brought thousands of ice hockey players together from most of the regions in our country.

This tournament is unparalleled because it attracts ice hockey fans of different generations: renowned masters, sport old-timers and rookies who decided to set up their own teams to win and to test their spirit.

Getting to the top and winning the trophy for the season is an objective worth pursuing for such ambitious, energetic and strong-willed people. So, the final stage of the traditional Night Hockey League National Festival in Sochi invariably attracts fans with its compelling and uncompromising matches, highlights and unforgettable emotions.

I believe the League will continue to attract more players, introduce the values of fitness and a healthy lifestyle to people of different ages and occupations, and contribute to ice hockey popularity, all while reminding people of its history and our legendary champions’ achievements who personally contributed to the promotion of sport in our country.

I wish you good luck in your ice battles and all the best. And as they say: may the best win!