Gazprom Transgaz Ufa organizes charity hockey match for acoustically challenged children with Russian hockey stars

An unusual hockey match under the motto ‘I understand you!’ took place in the Ufa Sports Palace. Young acoustically challenged hockey players came together in one team with Russian ice hockey celebrities. The Ufa hockey team NHL (‘Night Hockey League’), where Gazprom Transgaz Ufa employees have their training sessions, initiated this event together with Alexander Semak’s Charity Foundation.

Boys from upper grades of the Ufa specialized corrective school of the 1st category for acoustically challenged children started going in for hockey several years ago. They were lucky to share the ice with world-famous hockey players. Children were able to forget all their physical limitations during this day.

The Avangard team comprising 12 young players came into arena fortified by famous veterans of the Russian and Soviet hockey. They were Alexander Semak, Andrey Vasilevsky Senior, Andrey Sidyakin, Denis Afinogenov and others. Gazprom Transgaz Ufa team was their rival.

Alexander Semak, a World champion, a sponsor and a star of the match, shared his impressions during one of the breaks: “When you are in one team with acoustically challenged players, you need to be able to ‘come to terms’ quickly. We need to adjust and to signal to the guys, who cannot hear the judge blowing a whistle. However, our young teammates are playing very decently, can quickly adjust and are fighting for each puck really recklessly! I would like to thank all hockey players, who responded to our initiative and helped deliver this wonderful holiday.”

According to Rustem Usmanov, Deputy Director General of Gazprom Transgaz Ufa and a hockey player, they have long-lasting contacts with players from the specialized corrective school for acoustically challenged children: “The main objective of the match is to show that all people are alike and there are no barriers whatsoever! The example of these acoustically challenged players demonstrates and proves that they are just like all of us, and their possibilities are truly endless.”

The final score was 12–12. Winners all around!

After the match young acoustically challenged hockey players received memorable gifts, medals and pucks signed by hockey celebrities.