MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) – On 1 November, the new season of the Republican Hockey League officially opened at the Olympic Arena in Minsk with a match between the hockey team of the President of Belarus and the Mogilev Oblast team. This event has already become a tradition and an integral part not only of the city’s sporting life but also of its public life. It comes with its own familiar rituals, loyal fans, and regular participants. What today’s game was like, and what athletes and spectators will remember, is covered in BelTA’s report.
Hundreds of people began arriving at the Olympic Arena on Saturday morning, well before the official start of the competition. Players needed time to suit up and warm up before stepping onto the ice. Experienced fans also came early to secure parking, claim the best seats, and catch up with friends. The audience at these national amateur hockey tournaments for the prizes of the Presidential Sports Club is always diverse and distinguished: senior officials, famous athletes, artists, public figures, and, not least, the models of the National School of Beauty, who are frequent guests at hockey events.
Spectators come not only for the sport itself. Those who have attended before know the atmosphere is unique. Performers deliver rousing global hits alongside heartfelt songs about Belarus, while cadets from the University of Civil Protection of the Emergencies Ministry cheer with chants and drum rhythms. The buffet offers an abundance of fresh pastries at very reasonable prices. The Belarusian president’s merch store Pervy [First] sells branded gear, with the range expanding year after year. Thanks to the head of state, producers never run short of catchy slogans.
There is no doubt that the personal participation of the Belarusian president gives the competition special status and draws large crowds. Speaking with journalists, older fans stressed how important the head of state’s personal example is for promoting a healthy lifestyle and his commitment to developing sport in the country. Svetlana Gendik of Minsk often comes to cheer for the president’s team. “The atmosphere is amazing! It’s great that young people here can see role models and be inspired to take up sports themselves,” she said. Her colleague Natalya Voronova, chair of the Minsk city branch of the Belaya Rus political party, can fairly be called a true fan: she not only attends the games herself but encourages others to come. “With the start of the new season, we’re launching the project ‘Pershy - Lepshy’ with 100 participants. We’re learning how to cheer properly, raising fan culture in the country. And of course, we support the president. We’ve got new uniforms, banners, and slogans. You can already feel the energy. I’m sure this 19th season will be wonderful, dynamic, and exciting,” she said.
The president, certainly, knows how eagerly people await games with his participation. And despite his busy schedule, he still takes to the ice. “Every day I’m running around, and by evening I just want to head home, thinking: ‘If only I could sit quietly somewhere.’ But it doesn’t work out,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked during a working trip to Lepel District recently. “Yesterday Baskov [Dmitry Baskov, head coach of the president’s team] came and said: ‘Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko], this Saturday we’re playing hockey.’ I said: well, go ahead and play. He said: ‘Not without you.’ So I had to go to practice. It is time to get moving.”
The president’s entrance onto the ice is invariably met with a storm of applause. The stands warmly greet all the players, but the one wearing number one is welcomed in a special way.
Speaking with journalists after the first period, presidential team member Nikita Drozdov was asked about his emotions: “They are crazy! I love everything about it, the fans are incredible.” As for his expectations for the game and the season, he stressed: "We will move only forward and do our utmost. Victory, and only forward!”
That spirit quickly paid off. The president’s team scored the opening goal in the third minute, and by the first break Nikolai Lukashenko and Nikita Drozdov struck twice more to give the hosts a 3-1 lead. The second period began with a surprise: within 4 minutes, Matvei Vinkevich and Leonid Olkhovoi leveled the score at 3-3. The home side, unhappy with the turn of events, responded with goals from Aleksei Baranov, Andrei Mikhalyov, Yaroslav Chupris, and Artyom Karkotsky to surge ahead 7-3. In the final third, Nikolai Lukashenko netted his second of the night, and Oleg Antonenko sealed the outcome, setting the final score at 9-3.
“It’s tough to face the favorites right in the first RHL game,” admitted Mogilev Oblast team player Aleksandr Materukhin. “They’re always in shape, even after a break, they’ve got a strong team, skilled guys who play good hockey. But we enjoy it. The atmosphere at the Olympic Arena is always fantastic, with big crowds. It’s great here!”
Fans left the rink with the same emotions: “It’s great here!”. Some lucky ones went home with more than memories. A unique stick and puck signed by Aleksandr Lukashenko were raffled off during the first intermission, while many others caught soft toys traditionally tossed into the stands by the president and players after the game. Most importantly, everyone surely left with a boost of energy and good spirits, enough to last until the next “recharge” at an RHL match.
Photos by Jan Gorbanyuk, Sergei Sheleg/ BelTA
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