Russian President is well known to be an ice hockey enthusiast, on Saturday night he demonstrated his skills on the ice of the Red Square. Vladimir Putin part of winning team as he plays ice hockey close to the Kremlin in Night Hockey League.
The Russian leader is in his best shape, last night he donned hockey gear and took part in a game in Moscow, and his team The Night Hockey League won 9-3. Defence minister Sergey Shoygu was also on the pitch during the Russian NHL match, along with top Russian professionals.
The national league was set up in 2011, part of a drive by the Russian president to make the sport more popular. Mr Putin is known as an aikido enthusiast as well, the sport is important to him and his country.
Putin has appeared on the ice several times, alongside Soviet/Russian ice hockey legend Viacheslav Fetisov, who introduced him to the sport. Putin’s appearance came as Russia’s ruling party United Russia said it wants the “ultimate victory” of President at the presidential election in March.
Putin knows how to stop hooliganism during 2018 World Cup
The Russian leader has a great respect for the sport, that’s why he has ordered the FSB (ex-KGB) to clamp down on hooliganism and ticket touting, to ensure the tournament runs smoothly.
Russian hooligans fought with England supporters during Euro 2016 ahead of the two country’s opening match, with the off-field action being branded ‘the Battle of Marseille’.
But Vladimir Putin, president and an athlete, is determined to use the tournament to project a positive image of his country on the world. Thus, FSB director Alexander Bortnikov has already made clear that there will be a zero-tolerance approach taken, jail terms of between eight and 15 years are on offer to ticket touts.
