Kyrgyzstan becomes the 70th IIHF member
14 May 2011 | Henrik Lundqvist
Kyrgyzstan from Central Asia was granted an IIHF membership by the International Ice Hockey Federation on its Annual Congress in Bratislava.
The country has 218 registered players. There are six clubs in six cities.
Gornyak Ak-Tuz won the domestic championship in 2011. The third time a national championship was held in the country.
The other clubs are
Arstan Shumkar Bishkek,
Chaek Zhumgal,
Cholpon Ata Issyk-Kul,
Dordoi Ala-Too Naryn, and
Khan-Tengri Bishkek (2009 & 2010 champion).
The interest if ice hockey increased in Kyrgyzstan after the success in the
Asian Winter Games where Kyrgyzstan won the Premier Division (second level).
Also read:
Kyrgyzstan plans to enter a team in Kazakhstan League