Hockey Club Avangard and NaftaGaz Group Concluded the Partnership Agreement about Cooperation

The Hockey Club Avangard and the oilfield service company NaftaGaz announce the start of their cooperation.
NaftaGaz has become an official partner of the club in a large-scale project in construction and modernization around 100 hockey rinks, which is being carried out by Avangard.

The major manufacturing companies continue to join the team of friends of Omsk Avangard. This partnership is a new direction for the leader of the Russian hockey. It will help strengthen the recognition rate of the brand Avangard, attract new fans, and bring the club closer to those who have supported both the Russian hockey and the sports in general for many years.

German Chistyakov, the General Director of HC Avangard:
"We are glad that such a prestigious partner is now aligned with our club. The support from the manufacturing companies is vital for the sports to develop and reach new heights. I am confident that this collaboration will be fruitful for both Avangard and NaftaGaz. I thank the management of NaftaGaz for their support and for promoting hockey in our region. Always onward!"

Tural Kerimov, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of NaftaGaz:
"For our company, supporting sports and socially significant initiatives is an integral part of our corporate culture. The Avangard project to establish the hockey vertical for amateur sports is unique. It addresses several critical issues simultaneously: providing children with modern and safe sports infrastructure, creating conditions for mass hockey under the guidance of professional instructors, and bringing up a new generation of Russian athletes. I believe our cooperation with one of the strongest clubs in the country will serve as a successful example of business and sports partnership for the benefit of the society."

This social project for the development of mass hockey and the creation of accessible sports infrastructure started this year. It is planned to modernize over 30 rinks in 2025 and 65 in 2026. Each venue will have an instructor assigned to it who will conduct free training sessions. This will allow children not only to play nearby their homes, but also to acquire the basics of hockey under the supervision of experienced specialists.

Hockey Club Avangard is one of Russia’s leading and most recognizable sports brands, based in Omsk. Founded in 1950, the club has a rich history and a large army of supporters across the country. It has been a constant participant in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) since its founding and is one of its most successful clubs. The peak of the team's achievements was in 2021, when Avangard won the main trophy — the Gagarin Cup — in a dramatic playoff series and became the KHL champion. The team’s bright, attacking style of play and the ability to fight till the final second have become the club’s trademark. The club significantly contributes to the development of sport, bringing up the young players and promoting a healthy way of living. Based on its high results, large-scale projects, and active social policies, Avangard strengthens its status as one of the leading teams of the KHL.

NaftaGaz Group is a modern, rapidly developing oilfield services company, one of the leaders in drilling wells of all complexity levels. It has established itself as a reliable partner for the key players in the oil and gas sector and as a socially responsible employer. Consistently ranking in the top 5 largest independent Russian drilling companies, its technological leadership is based on innovation. NaftaGaz prioritizes working conditions and social guarantees for its employees. The company actively participates in the life of the regions of presence and in the social initiatives, implementing charitable programs and supporting cultural projects.