Rustam Minnikhanov and Philip Esposito play ice hockey game at the Kazan Sports Palace

On July 23, Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov met a famous ice hockey player, who played in the 1972 super series between Canada the Soviet Union, Philip Esposito.

Esposito arrived in Kazan at the invitation of Minnikhanov to take part in events within the framework of the FINA World Championship 2015.

During his stay in Kazan Esposito gave a joint interview with Minnikhanov on developing professional and amateur ice hockey and promoting it among the youth. The interview took place at the Kazan Sports Palace, where they played a friendly ice hockey game.

Their interview will be shown in a documentary film with a working name "Hockey diplomacy", which is being shot now. The film, produced by Scott McPherson, is devoted to the efficiency of the use of the "hockey diplomacy" as a way to establish international contacts, build and strengthen economic and political relations through mutual understanding, which is established between ice hockey players.

"The game of ice hockey is a group activity and has a lot of fans to follow. Today we have a great opportunity to meet a great ice hockey player Philip Esposito on the ice," Minnikhanov said.

In his turn Esposito stressed that he attaches special importance to the so-called "hockey diplomacy." According to him, "everyone talks the same language" on the ice.