The “Neutrality Cup” hockey tournament has kicked off at the ice rink of the “Galkan” Winter Sports Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan and will run until December 16. Eight teams are participating in the competition, according to the Hockey Federation of Turkmenistan.

The tournament is supported by the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Physical Culture and Sports. Participants include the hockey clubs “Galkan” (Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan), “Nesil” (Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs), “Watanchi” (Military Institute of the Ministry of Defense), “Merdana” (Border Institute), “Burgut” (Sports School of the State Sports Committee), “Oguzhan” (“TurkmenGazAvtomatika” Administration), “Shir” (Ministry of Trade), and “Alp Arslan” (Agency for Transport and Communications).

In anticipation of the tournament, an international referee seminar was held at the “Galkan” Sports Center with the support of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The seminar was led by Vladimir Suslov, an international referee and representative of the Kazakhstan Ice Hockey Federation. The program focused on training Turkmen referees and studying the modern rules of the game.

Suslov, 33, has 12 years of refereeing experience and has been named Kazakhstan's best referee six times. He has officiated over 300 Kazakhstan Championship matches, 99 Junior Hockey League matches, and three Kontinental Hockey League matches. From 2016 to 2022, he held an IIHF license and officiated at four World Championships, two Asian Cups, and the 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He currently works as a referee specialist for the Kazakhstan Hockey Federation.