Investment in game paying off as kids flock to new facilities

Evgenii Odnoshivkin has been coaching ice hockey in China for three years, with the Russian impressed by soaring participation rates in the sport during that time.

In 2018, Odnoshivkin was appointed coach of a youth team in Beijing, and later began working with another club, the Beijing Capitals.

He was immediately amazed at the quality of the infrastructure and facilities in the capital, but, compared with Russia, realized hockey lacked mainstream popularity in China.

"In Russia, a youth ice hockey squad usually has 20 players, but in China, there might be only 10," said Odnoshivkin, who coached several youth teams in his home country.

In the build-up to the Beijing Winter Olympics, China has been pumping investment and resources into promoting ice and snow sports. Odnoshivkin has noticed that push is bearing fruit, with more kids, including many kindergarteners, picking up hockey sticks.

The younger kids can start on the ice the better, according to Odnoshivkin, as they will then skate and play without fear.

"The earlier you participate in ice and snow sports, the more experience you will get," he said.

"In Russia, people love winter sports. It's hard to find a child who can't skate.

"When I was 7 years old, I went to watch a hockey game and saw the crowd roaring on the players. I imagined that one day I would become a member of the team and enjoy the cheers of the spectators."

Odnoshivkin believes that China is now gradually developing its own hockey culture.

"In recent years, some film and television dramas with ice hockey themes have appeared in China, and they can play a positive role in promoting the sport," he said.

At the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the Russian team won gold in the men's hockey competition. As well as cheering on his native country at Beijing 2022, Odnoshivkin will have the host team in his heart, and hopes "China will also achieve good results".

Odnoshivkin believes that the Beijing Games will be another big boost for hockey's attempts to become part of China's sporting mainstream.

"I will pay close attention to the kids in our team and rival teams. They have great potential and are expected to achieve a higher level in time," he said.

The governments of China and Russia recently agreed to enhance sporting links between the two countries, beginning next year through 2023.

Odnoshivkin hopes the initiative can aid in-depth exchange of professional skills, and promote mutual understanding and friendship.

"I am very pleased to see that Chinese children's interest in ice hockey is increasing day by day," he said. "This is the biggest driving force for me to share knowledge and skills with them."

Xinhua