Signing ceremony timed with news conference took place 19 August inst. at Moscow Ararat Park Hyatt hotel. The Agreement of Cooperation between Russian Ice Hockey Federation  (RIIHF) and  Skoda Auto Russia is a 4-year contract. The ceremony was attended by RIHF President Vladislav Tretiak, RIHF CEO Valeri Fesiuk flanked by  Skoda Russia general manager Peter Janeba and the company’s corporate communications chief Martin Lauer.

In his welcome address, Mr. Tretiak emphasized Skoda’s prominent position in the world’s car market as well as in international hockey environment. He disclosed that part of revenues derived from the Agreement, will be spent on financing national junior team (U-20), and another part - on grass roots hockey in the light of preparations for Sochi-2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Next speaker, Peter Janeba thanked Mr. Tretiak for his flattering appraisal of the company’s efforts and stressed that the Agreement is only a beginning of fruitful long-term cooperation between Skoda and Russian Hockey Federation.  Skoda  is interested in junior hockey development in this country, he assured .

Skoda’s corporate communications director Martin Lauer noted inseparable identification of the company as many years sports active supporter, including international cycling events, but stressed the game of hockey was prime interest on the brand’s priority scale. Skoda made its choice in favor of hockey because of its teamwork and team spirit. The Czech company has been title sponsor of the IIHF World Championships for the last 18 years on end. However the company saw fit not to dwell exclusively on global projects such as World Championships, and went on to develop a regional projects like the one in Russia.

In his conclusive message, RIHF CEO Valeri Fesiuk presented the new teams uniforms for the coming season with Skoda logo appearing among other sponsors.

On conclusion of the presentation/news conference high ranked officials of the two parties to the Agreement answered reporters’ questions. Hockey Russia leaders handed in the uniforms just presented, to Skoda representatives.

RIHF Media Service