The exhibition hockey match, devoted to the famous captain of the “Ak Bars”, was held in Kazan

(KZN.RU, September 16). Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of Tatarstan, awarded Rafik Yakubov with medal “For Services to the Republic of Tatarstan”. Illustrious Captain of the hockey “Ak Bars’ was awarded this honor for his special contribution to the development of physical culture and sports in the republic, long-term and productive work. Also, an exhibition match of hockey veterans of Tatarstan was held in Kazan on the basis of the hockey club “Ak Bars” in honor of R. Yakubov, who has recently celebrated his 50th anniversary. Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of Tatarstan, and Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, took part in the game.

“No one questions that this person deserved the award”, emphasized the President of the RT, pinning a medal of the Order on the chest of hero of the occasion.

The game between two teams, which were arbitrarily divided into “white” and “green”, was held in a friendly atmosphere and ended with a score of 27: 9 in favor of the “green” team. R. Minnikhanov, who scored 16 goals, and I. Metshin, who scored 6 goals, replenished the treasury of the winners. Hero of the day made 2 successful throw.

The whole life of Rafik Yakubov is closely related to hockey. He is one of the best defenders of Tatarstan hockey, native Kazan citizen, twice champion of the country, twice silver medalist of the Russia Championship; he played for the national team of Russia. Hockey players chose him as captain of all the teams, for which R. Yakubov played. The “Ak Bars” first became the champion of Russia at the time of the captaincy of Rafik Yakubov. During the work of Rafik Yakubov as the director of the hockey club “Neftekhimik” (Nizhnekamsk), the Nizhnekamsk team achieved its best results, prepared more than two dozen of the KHL and the NHL-level players. Today, the famous captain of “Ak Bars” is an adviser on sport of the general director of the PAO “Tatneft”.