Zaur Mammadaliyev: Our main goal is to popularize hockey

Hockey in Azerbaijan is no longer a dream for some, it is now a reality, and the opening of the ice arena at the Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex is a welcome development.

One of the people involved in the realization of this idea is Zaur Mammadaliyev, the coach of the "Ocaq" hockey club.

Idman.Biz spoke with Zaur Mammadaliyev and addressed questions to the expert.

- The phrase "Hockey in Azerbaijan" sounds quite unusual. When was your club founded?

- Our club was founded in 2023. We are part of the "Ocaq" sports club. Many sports are developed here, and the youngest among them is hockey.

- Is this a children's club? Where are the trainings held?

- That's right, this is a children's club, and we hold our trainings right here, in the ice arena.

- Do you participate in any tournaments, or is everything still in the training stage?

- This year, we have already participated in both friendly matches and competitions. So, we took third place in a tournament in Dubai with the participation of six teams, which is not a bad result for the first performance. Then the "Galaxy" team from Dubai was our guest. We played four games with them and won three. I think this is also a very good indicator.

- What are your plans for 2026?

- We want to participate in several more tournaments and invite clubs from other countries for friendly matches. We are already negotiating with children's clubs from Turkey, China, and Russia. But, of course, the main priority is participation in tournaments. This gives children incredible motivation and plays a very strong catalyst role.

- I see that not only local children train in your club...

- That's right. We also have children from Kazakhstan, Russia, and even England. But, of course, the main team consists of local children.

- Does your club also have a team of adults?

- Yes, the "Ocaq" club also has a team of adults. Last year, they finished the group stage in first place at the Winter Islamic Games in Kazan. Later, we also won first place in one of the tournaments held in Moscow. Our main goal is to popularize hockey. We want children and teenagers to come to our club, to know that in such a southern country it is also possible to play such an adrenaline and emotion-filled sport as ice hockey!