Deputy of the Moscow City Duma, director of the Scientific and Practical Center for Children's Psychoneurology of the Department of Healthcare of the capital, Tatyana Batysheva, told the Moscow City News Agency about the importance of sledge hockey for children's rehabilitation.
“Sports rehabilitation does not stand still. Sledge hockey, which the guys are now actively involved in, provides an excellent opportunity to recuperate and regain mobility. The project "Support and Development of Sledge Hockey Adaptive Sports" provides for the creation of conditions for the physical development of children with severe neuropsychiatric pathologies and the popularization of rehabilitation sports disciplines,”said Batysheva.
According to her, we are talking about the festival of the children's sledge hockey league “World of Hockey for Special Children”. The event is scheduled for the summer of 2021.
“For me, the most important thing is the enthusiasm of the guys. After injuries or illnesses, children often become wilted, embarrassed to play sports that they need. Sledge hockey is a great option for recuperation. In this sport, friendly matches are held, children do not lose their passion and competitive spirit,”added Batysheva.
The deputy also said that on the basis of the Scientific and Practical Center for Children's Psychoneurology, which she heads, there is already a sledge hockey team. Selection for the team is carried out among children in rehabilitation. By following an individualized training and rehabilitation plan, children are expected to recover faster and improve their athletic skills.
“The methodology used by the children is based on the scientific and medical developments of the SPC. Recently, a friendly match between the Yaroslavl team Loko-sledge and the Moscow team Dynamo-sledge took place on the ice of the Olympic reserve hockey school. The first children's sledge hockey teams in Russia were created in 2016,”added the deputy.
Sledge hockey is the Paralympic version of the famous game designed specifically for people with disabilities. On the ice, players use a special sled and two clubs instead of skates.